Palm Trees

[Axis Nightmare]

There was a possibility that the theme for our Museum Gala was going to be the Corsair that is next in line for restoration. However that was not to be this year. The FW has taken much longer than anticipated. The Corsair will likely be next year when some progress can be shown. Over the winter, in anticipation for that I began working on a 1/18 display of Corsairs on a tropical airfield complete with support vehicles, figures, a crude control tower and tropical foliage in the form of some palm trees. I set out to make my own palm trees as there was nothing commercially available that was either around the right size or looked very realistic. I started by looking at photos of palm trees. They come in an endless variety, sizes and shapes. I decided to go for a generic palm tree not trying to be a coconut palm or and specific species. Those who live along the subtropical coasts can attest to how big a palm tree can get and how imperfect they often are. The lower fronds are often dying off as fast as fresh new fronds sprout. That's just how it works in the tropics. My Dad had an artificial palm tree with perfect green plastic fronds but the trunks were straight metal rods wrapped with tape and wire. I salvaged the fronds and discarded the rest. I wanted curved trunks so I set out to find something in nature that would work. The bushes in my hedge had good sized and textured branches so that was a start. I used the edge of a file to groove the "trunk" and attached it to a styrofoam base. I then started on the fronds with trimming and painting. Did some paint work on the trunk and got the "sand" on the base which is a mixture of actual sand and crushed cat litter. The left over frond stubs are pieces off pine cones. Added some ground foliage and later some rocks made of cork chunks. I'm working on a second one that is just a bit taller and would work as either a large 1/18 palm or a small 1/6 palm. The control tower will come later.

















After adding the "rocks". Will eventually have more scattered debris in the form of some dropped dead frond pieces. The Marine is a 21st Century figure.

[grunt1]

Best model palm tree I've ever seen..

[Snake Man]

Very believable !!

[Studly]

Great Job Dennis Well Done , best i have seen.

Cheers
Greg

[normandy]

Damn that looks great! That would be perfect for a South Pacific or Mediterranean diorama.
Nice work.

[tmanthegreat]

Excellent find, Axis, and I agree with the others about that being one of the best scale model palm trees I’ve seen... Too bad you’re 13 years too late for the 21st Century Toys USMC Photo Contest

[slogan]

Amazing work indeed.

[flayrah]

Incredible work. Best palm model I've seen anywhere, including professional and museum work.

[normandy]

How tall is that Axis? 20" - 25" ?

I found a palm tree from Fontanini, they make nativity figures and scenes.



to small for what I wanted...



this might work for smaller scales or way off in the background of a large scale dio....its from
the 50's - 60's it came with those clear plastic turtle bowls/tanks.



By the look of the responses to your post, I think you've got a winner!

[Axis Nightmare]

How tall is that Axis? 20" - 25" ?

Good eye! The trunk is 20" up to where the fronds come out. The fronds give it a little more height. That scales it to over 36' to the very top. Palm tree #2 is taller and the trunk a bit thinner. I'll get some pictures of that one soon. I appreciate the positive endorsements. There are no opinions I value more than you guys on here. I did strive for museum quality since I wanted to display them in our Museum. Positive comments from people with the talents you have are the ultimate compliment.

[cnq]

That's a fantastic looking palm tree. You did excellent work.

[Axis Nightmare]

That's a fantastic looking palm tree. You did excellent work.

Thanks cnq!

Here's palm tree number 2.....
Same basic items and techniques as number 1










The base will have more debris eventually....





With a 1/18 Corsair





Not the best condition for pictures but just wanted to get some quick shots for size comparisons. Here's palm tree 1 and 2 with the Corsair.





Working on some smaller plants. These are completely imaginary and don't represent a particular species. Wanted to keep things generic for possible use in other venues. Cork, styrofoam, pine cones and some modified and touched up greenery from Hobby Lobby.

[AJWW2]

Fantastic Work