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Dead but very useful Branches
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Scroll to bottom to see Big Dead Branches!
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4/28/2020: RECENT PRODUCT REVISION!
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Add in the finer details...add Dead Branches
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Definition: Dead Branches are the little "twigs" added to the tree trunk after the Green Branches are in place. When used without Green Foliage, they produce dead "snag" trees.
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REAL:
REAL: Snag Tree on the Elk River, south Oregon Coast.
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MODEL:
MODEL: 11" Old Growth fir tree with dead branches added (included in kits) and fine scenic "moss".
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Western fir trees generally have plenty of dead branches on them, especially nearer the base of the tree. This is generally so, unless you are modeling strictly very large Old Growth (300+ year old) trees, where I have observed that the dead branches don't begin until about 1/2 way up the tree).
Second Growth. Note many dead branches along the lower portion of the trunks preceding the green foliage above.
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Tall Old Growth Cedar. Note the lower portion of the trunk has fewer and smaller dead branches compared to above.
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Coastmans' Dead Branches are sought out specifically to model the fine architecture of the prototypes as observed in nature.
Close Up View
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How do you add a tiny detail like this? Scroll down and check out the Dead Branches how-to video!
All dead branches natural material is sagebrush from an exceptionally arid environment. After collection, it is darkened with boiling temp water based dyes and India ink. It is then oven-dried at 250-F for a minimum of 3-4 hours.
(Without the dyes, this natural material appears almost white on the layout.) The boiling helps to remove the dust, dirt, etc. |
The “artistically interesting” portions of the brush are specifically targeted. We strive to identify and retain those parts having “realistic qualities” and “interesting features”, clipping by hand. Some material is obtained by using our wooden hopper machine (video below).
Included are some larger portions, as well as shorter material. The larger items are better for complex, full dead branches, while the shorter pieces are for model smaller, lower dead branch protrusions e.g. “broken branches”, often seen nearer to the tree base.
It is the quality of the material from an artistic standpoint which makes this product special. (This is not a just a random collection of twigs from outdoors!)
If used to create “forest floor debris”, the StumpStuff product will extend the coverage area considerably.
Included are some larger portions, as well as shorter material. The larger items are better for complex, full dead branches, while the shorter pieces are for model smaller, lower dead branch protrusions e.g. “broken branches”, often seen nearer to the tree base.
It is the quality of the material from an artistic standpoint which makes this product special. (This is not a just a random collection of twigs from outdoors!)
If used to create “forest floor debris”, the StumpStuff product will extend the coverage area considerably.
What you get is a minimum of one-ounce bag, which totals 1/3 of a 1-quart re-sealable bag. This will cover dead branches needed for at least 20 trees.
If larger quantities are needed, just email Roger at coastmans@gmail.com.
Also note: we now have the Big Dead Branches which are the leftovers from removing most of the details from the heads of the bushes. Big Dead Branches still have "some good stuff on them".
If larger quantities are needed, just email Roger at coastmans@gmail.com.
Also note: we now have the Big Dead Branches which are the leftovers from removing most of the details from the heads of the bushes. Big Dead Branches still have "some good stuff on them".
Dead Branches
MINIMUM 1-ounce, 1/3 quart bag filled with high-quality dead branches. Branches range from 1/4 inch to 3 inches in length, with most in the range of 1 to 2 inches in length. Material is dyed in boiling dye bath, and oven-dried at 250F for several hours. The best portions of the bush heads are then clipped by hand and packaged. Works well with StumpStuff for a great forest floor.
$
22.50
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Big Dead Branches
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These extra large size dead branches are useful on larger trees and for modeling forest floor debris.
This is what is leftover after the initial material is pushed through this machine: The smaller part that goes through is added to the regular dead branches. The material left inside the hopper is the larger stuff.
You'll get a 1 quart resealable bag stuffed as full as possible. |
Big Dead Branches
Extra large dead branches are leftovers from the processing of smaller dead branches. They still have good parts on them. We use them as dead branches on larger trees and also as "live branches" to help support the green foliage on at least part of the tree. You can fix in place by drilling holes & gluing, or using the hot glue / white glue method which we use here. These are also useful as larger pieces offorest debris.
$
12.50
Video about how I add the Dead Branches below. In the video, I use a hot plate coupled with a ventilation duct. But this can also be done using a Hot Glue Gun, as that is how I started out with using hot glue to do this instead of drilling holes & gluing them in place.
4/28/20 More recently I have abandoned the hot glue in lieu of my own formula which is a mixture of real tree pitch, beeswax, and diatomaceous earth. Works faster
