Forests in Michigan-scenery problems

[Anonymous]

     Over the years of backpacking in Michigan, it's obvious that there's a layer of dead leaves on the forest floor. I'm in the process of building a small HO logging shelf layout, so is there any easy way to model that? I tried mashing REAL dead leaves up, doesn't work. Also, any techniques for making 30+ deciduous trees that are more than 40 scale feet high, low cost, and look realistic?

[nucat78]

Sawdust?  I'm surprised that Woodland Scenics or similar doesn't have a product.

 

[dale8chevyss]

I'm wondering if you can get your hands on some chips from a wood planer/jointer. They may be big enough to simulate leaves but not as small as the sawdust from a cross cut/table saw.  It's an idea, don't know if it'll work or not.  Plus if you get chips from wood like cedar or what have you its already multi colored and might not take much dye/stain to make it look like leaves. 

[Geared Steam]

Take a look at here, I have ordered the "dark" and "green" but haven't seen it yet to give you an opinion.

http://www.sceneryexpress.com/products.asp?dept=1233

 

 

[cowman]

How did you mash your leaves?  In Lou Sassi's "Basic Scenery for Modelrailroaders" there is a section, "Leaf Me Be" that uses a blender to chop the leaves.  Get one at a yard sale rather than the one from the kitchen.  I got one for a dollar, haven't gotten to need it yet, but it won't upset the boss when I get to chopping stuff up.

Good luck,

[rfross]

How about an old used or cheap new coffee grinder, the type that uses the spinning blades.

[Li'lJugs]

Some of the best late fall/early spring scenery I have ever seen was in a magazine years ago, IRC they said they used ground up tea leaves.  Why tea leaves would be better than real leaves, I don't know, but this was very realistic.  (I don't have a layout yet, but I do plan on at least trying it out.)