I'm about to begin work on a 2 x 3 z-scale layout using one of the plans suggested by the mtl expansion pack. I like making my own trees using the woodland scenics materials in the kit form. Now in some kits 3" armatures is the tallest? With z being 1/220 are 3" armatures too big? How does it look? I know you can do the math to gage realism, but how does it look? Does it look right?
No 3 inches is not to tall at 55 feet in Z. But then it depends on the type of tree and if old growth or second /third growth.rich
Quick math: 3 inch / 12 = .25 ft .25 x 220 = 55 ft tree Does your layout need trees of this size? By comparison, a full size sugar maple grows to 125 ft, and a Japanese maple to 25 ft. You might want to use larger trees in the front of the layout and smaller ones in the back to gain greater optical depth. Also consider if the size will hinder views of objects behind the tree. In a small layout, such as your 2x3 ft, I consider if the layout will difficult to store. I am building a small layout like yours where the total height, base to the top of fixed objects, will be about 4 inches.
I like to use 1-3" pines, and even have a few 4" pines on my modules. I don't think they look out of place, but I have seen 1/2" to 1" trees used on a module whichalso looked good. Probably personal preference is good guidance here.
Get the new issue of Z-Track magazine. The article on tree sizes provides avg height per tree species, a picture of what the species looks like (if you roll your own), and gives you a scale sizer - stated to be also on the mfrs box for the trees they sell (and who wrote the article.) a very good reference article!
Thanks for the responses. I plan on my layout being in the Midwest (Michigan) during the summer. I want to have mainly physical features. I'm not going to have towns and such because I'm not satisfied with the selection of z-scale--in order to have variety you have to go German which won't fit, plus I'm new to z-scale and have enough trouble building things in n-scale. I'd like to have an oval rolling through the countryside with maybe a small two-lane road and an old barn or shed. I want this to be a mobile layout I can take places and set up on a table or so. I'll have a mix of some older taller trees. You know the trees that farmers never did bother to chop down for various reasons.
Since you are in St Paul, take a look at the trees and shrubs at Bailey Nurseries, 1325 Bailey Road, St. Paul MN. At this time of the year everything will be dormant, but, you can get see the relative scale of various species.
Ralph, I was traveling through tree country, (Southern Oregon) on I-5 last weekend and doing what I like to to do best,...........observe trees. I noticed that occasionally you will see a tree that looks totally out of place, meaning too tall for the surrounding trees or a dissimilar type of tree, and in the case of evergreen trees, an occasional snag here or there. I think you will be best off if you will think like artists do,......use optical spacing, or in this case, do what looks right to you. Unless you have absolutely no eye for perspective you will be able to make the trees to suit your eye and they will be right. Do remember though as you said that once in awhile you find a truly "aged" giant that someone forgot to prune. The frustrating thing about putting in that 'odd' tree is that someone will come along and say, "Hey that tree is the wrong size or it is leaning or really ugly" Just smile and tell them to go out and take a nature walk and then come back and comment. Have fun with your trees. Now go and do the right thing.
Here iz a Z Tree---actually 1:220- the tunnel tree out in Kalefornia. It's about 300' tall-- and I have absolutley no idea what I'll do with it. I made it because "I could". Fred
Fred, You gotta do like Taco Bell says to.....'think outside the bun'. It's obvious to me that you should chop it down, and make lumber out of it and make a whole neighborhood of A frames out of the lumber. Would look nice on the edge of my lake module.
Ralph, I have also purchased a bunch of the Woodland Scenics armatures. Most of mine are in the 1-1/2 - 2" range, but I got a few of the 3" armatures, as well. Pretty much for the same reason. When I was a kid, there was always one huge tree almost dead center in every large farmers' field. I had a neighbor that was a lifelong farmer (he was in his nineties when I was in Junior High), and I asked him why the trees were there. He said that they provided a shady place to have lunch and to rest the horses (or to repair equipment in later years). Then he added that sometimes "the ol' ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤s were just too damned big to bother with." But, anyway, to me, no farmer's field is complete without a huge deciduous tree in the middle of it. Dan S.
