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Mesquite trees

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  • Member since
    January 2008
  • 595 posts
Mesquite trees
Posted by mreagant on Friday, August 13, 2021 7:41 PM

I thought I posted this earlier today, but can't find it. Looking for advice about making HO scale mesquite trees.

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Bakersfield, CA 93308
  • 6,526 posts
Posted by RR_Mel on Saturday, August 14, 2021 3:29 PM

The easiest would be use old dead Mesquite branches.  When I lived in New Mexico Honey Mesquite was everywhere, not so much here in the California San Joaquin Valley.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ia_0x3v4CSA

 



Mel
 
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951



My Model Railroad    
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
 
Bakersfield, California
 
Aging is not for wimps.

  • Member since
    January 2008
  • 595 posts
Posted by mreagant on Saturday, August 14, 2021 3:47 PM

Much of my layout is set in West Texas where there's plenty of them. I have some dead tree twigs that would work just fine for the armature, but I haven't seen any anything available that would work for the leaves.

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Bakersfield, CA 93308
  • 6,526 posts
Posted by RR_Mel on Saturday, August 14, 2021 4:05 PM

A green flocking material?  I'm not aware of a flocking that resembles the Mesquitte leaf.





Mel
 
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951



My Model Railroad    
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
 
Bakersfield, California
 
Aging is not for wimps.

  • Member since
    January 2008
  • 595 posts
Posted by mreagant on Sunday, August 15, 2021 12:07 PM

That's what I'm trying to  represent. Most main line scenic material is too clumpy. The color is lighter than what's usually available.

Mike

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Vancouver Island, BC
  • 23,330 posts
Posted by selector on Sunday, August 15, 2021 12:12 PM

My first thought is a scale fern.  If anyone makes something halfways credible, even in N scale, you might be able to craft mesquite trees.  T'would be a ton of work, and a labour of love, but.....

  • Member since
    May 2004
  • 7,500 posts
Posted by 7j43k on Sunday, August 15, 2021 2:12 PM

Maybe photoengrave the leaves?

 

Ed

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Bakersfield, CA 93308
  • 6,526 posts
Posted by RR_Mel on Sunday, August 15, 2021 2:54 PM

I did a bit of searching and found this site.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/714562725/6-stems-7-sesame-fern-pick-plastic?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=plastic+mini+ferns&ref=sr_gallery-1-11

There were a lot of taller Mesquite trees south of Carrizozo NM that the ranchers would pull out in late fall.  I would get a few pickup loads every year for fire wood, Mesquite burns quite hot and smells very nice mixed in with aspen.


Mel
 
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951



My Model Railroad    
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
 
Bakersfield, California
 
Aging is not for wimps.

  • Member since
    January 2008
  • 595 posts
Posted by mreagant on Sunday, August 15, 2021 4:23 PM

Since I don't need more than 6 or so, I'm just going to play around with some green flakes I have and use some fairly realistic dried twigs I've got. We'll see.

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