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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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8/31/2020: 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.
You get a one-quart bag, with branches ranging from 1 to 4 inches, with many between 1 and 2 inches length. This size works well for adding dead branches for many trees (at least 20, probably many more than that), for tree sizes 7 to 13 inches. For larger trees, try our Big Dead Branches.
If larger quantities are needed, just email Roger at coastmans@gmail.com.
If larger quantities are needed, just email Roger at coastmans@gmail.com.
(These photos are a little out of date now. They show a "1/3" full bag. Truth be told, I'm filling a one-quart bag to the brim!
Dead Branches
A 1 quart bag filled with high-quality dead branches. Specifically clipped by hand for modeling tree branches, bushes, and forest floor. Ranging 3/4 to 4 inches in length; most are 1 to 2 inches. Material is dyed in boiling dye bath, and oven-dried at 250F for several hours. Works well with StumpStuff for a great looking forest floor.
$
12.50
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Big Dead Branches
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These extra large size dead branches are useful on larger trees (greater than 13") and for modeling larger forest floor debris. Big Dead Branches average 4" in length.
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Big Dead Branches
A larger size dead branches for making trees greater than 13 inches tall. Use as dead branches on larger trees and also as "live branches" to help support the green foliage on at least part of the tree. 4" in length on average. 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 of forest debris, and for the larger modelling scales. 1 quart bag.
$
22.50
New Item! Forest Floor
This latest item, Forest Floor, is a great material for modeling the forest detritus. Quoting Wikipedia, "The forest floor, also called detritus, duff and the O horizon, is one of the most distinctive features of a forest ecosystem. It mainly consists of shed vegetative parts, such as leaves, branches, bark, and stems, existing in various stages of decomposition above the soil surface." I'm not sure what Duff and the O horizon is! But I use this material on all my dioramas and my HO layout whenever I'm getting ready to plant trees. Right now, this is only available in limited quantities.
Forest Floor material used in a forest scene on the author's Oregon Coast Railroad (HO scale)
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Forest Floor
Forest detritus material from dried desert plants. Colored with non-toxic water based dye and kiln dried. About one ounce of material per 4" x 6" bag (see photo).
$
5.95
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 commercial hot glue in lieu of my own "hot glue" formula, comprised of tree pitch, beeswax, and tint. I use a hot plate on a low heat setting with good ventilation.
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