Just when I finally get ready to scenic my huge mountain (15'X5') I run out of trees. I have been using Heki. I love there model 309, 100 trees, 50 2" & 50 3". Perfect for a forced perspective look, especially for the top half. I had about 500. I went through that petty quick and need atleast 500 more, just for the top. Guess what, Scenic Express one of our forum sponsors admits they are out!! The sole U.S. distributor is out!! Won't get any until OCT. OCT! I can't wait that long. I can't lay track untill the mountain is done or I will be standing on the track to plant trees. Then I thought, what about putting the word out on the forum. OK here it is, if anyone knows where Heki model number HK0309 trees can be found please let me know. Search your Local hobby shop the next time you go. I will be greatful.



Paul Edgar
Vice President
TCA

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Paul Edgar,

I used a bunch of Heki Trees on my layout and just finishing my mountain a couple of weeks ago, I know what you mean about running out of trees. The last couple of hundred trees I bought though were from Grand Central Gems. I think their trees are nicer then the Heki trees and are priced well. They ship pretty fast also, I received my last order in 4 days. Their hardwood trees are the best I have seen.
Grand Central Gems

Paul do those trees come assembled or is it just the trunk and then you have to add the foliage. If so do they come with the foliage or is that seperate?

Their trees are all assembled.

Paul Who?? We do have a problem. Paul S. is right as far as Heki trees are considered. The ones I am looking for come unflocked and are a economy style tree. Simple to flock them & fill them out. I checked out the web site that Paul S. mentioned and he is right they are great looking trees and are complete also. Heki's 309 are economy priced also coming in at about .20 per tree. When you plant over 1,000 it is resonable
Thanks for the comments!!


Paul Edgar
Vice President
TCA

Hi Paul,

Give the Big Little Railroad Shop in Somerville NJ a call. The last time I was in there, they had at least a couple of boxes of HK0309 trees in stock.

The telephone number is 908 685 8892

The Big Little Railroad Shop
63 West Main Street
Somerville, NJ 08876

Tuesday - Friday 11 am to 7 pm
Saturday 11 am to 5 pm
Sunday 12 to 4 PM


http://www.biglittle.com/


Enjoy

Frank

For up high on the mountain, nothing beats homemade.
Forced perspective trees can be made really easy. For the tops of my mountain (Angles Summit) I used toothpicks, painted primer grey, dipped in scenic cement, and rolled into Woodland Scenics Coarse dark green foam. Makes for a great alpine terrain.



The lower levels are filled in with Woodland Scenics decidious, pine kits, and sissel/bottlebrush trees all flocked up. I have a bunch of super sage's under construction (sometime soon, he says) for installation at a later date as accent pieces.
Hint::: Use your high quality, super detailed trees up front, and fill in the background with lessor quality trees, or even green-painted cotton balls to fill up the space. The eye won't know the difference over distance, and you'll save $$$$$$$$$$$

Hey Frank,
Right on buddy!! The Big Little RR Shop had 2 boxes. That will be a big help. I still need more of Heki HK0309 pine tress folks. Anyone else who might visit their local shop soon please look for me. This is another reason this forum is so great, you can put out the word like this and get answers in hours.
Jim, Thanks for your tips too!!


Thanks everyone!!


Paul Edgar
Vice President
TCA

that looks really great Jim! How big is that mountain? It looks huge! I never thought about trying the gforced perspective technique using trees. I always thought of forced perspective in terms of buildings and structures. Since my layout is around the room and the widest benchwork from the wall is maybe 4 feet could I still use a forced perspective on a hillside with trees as you did?

I like the idea of toothpicks dipped in course turf and the cotton balls to fill in open spaces. I would think you could take it even a step further and after painting them green, you could dip them in course turf as well.

Years ago when we sold HEKI trees, we purchsed them from Portman Hobby Distributors. Their phone number is 914-737-6633.

If I could perfect a way to make decent trees from crabgrass & pond scum I could retire a rich & happy man!

Hi Paul,
I'm glad that worked out for you. The Big Little Railroad Shop is a great place to deal with.

Enjoy

Frank

quote:

Originally posted by stevin:
that looks really great Jim! How big is that mountain? It looks huge! I never thought about trying the gforced perspective technique using trees. I always thought of forced perspective in terms of buildings and structures. Since my layout is around the room and the widest benchwork from the wall is maybe 4 feet could I still use a forced perspective on a hillside with trees as you did?

I like the idea of toothpicks dipped in course turf and the cotton balls to fill in open spaces. I would think you could take it even a step further and after painting them green, you could dip them in course turf as well.

The mountain covers an 054 reversing loop for my upper level. It will hold a Scale K4 dragging seven heavyweights. The Lionel coaling station is being used as a tramhouse, you can see the tramway going up the mountain, ala the Ophir Colorado Station and tramhouse. The tram bents are smaller as they go up the hill to the audit. The mine audit up the hill is actually an HO speeder shed.
Off to the side and barely visible is a herd of 5 n-scale elk.

Using different foams and flockings, you can really make cheapo trees and tree substitutes (read painted cotton balls and sissal bottlebrush trees) look first rate with minimal effort. Even those lifelike globs of lichen on plastic armatures can be made to look good, hitting them with different green shade spraybombs, matte medium and flock.
When installing the trees, shrink them proportionally as you fill back, but I recommend starting in the rear and make your way down the mountain, blending bigger and bigger specimens as you go. I poke a hole in the plaster and fill it with CA for mounting. A shot of zip kicker and its planted.
It doesn't take long to eat up a ton of trees, and your hill still looks sparse. Thus, the need to improvise with low-budget substitutes.

Jim Sutter,
Thanks you so much for the info. When I called today I recieved a message that they will be closed for holiday until Aug. 12. Only a few more days. I'll try then. Thanks again.

Paul Edgar
Vice President
TCA

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Paul Edgar,

quote:

When I called today I recieved a message that they will be closed for holiday until Aug. 12. Only a few more days. I'll try then. Thanks again

Paul,
It is my understanding that Portman does not deal directly, you must go through a shop that carries the products they sell

Enjoy

Frank

Frank,
My plan was to confirm that nothing is available from them until Oct. then get a list of shops they have sold product to. Call them and see if what I need is in stock. Lot of extra work but better than waiting till Oct.


Paul Edgar
Vice President
TCA

Spring for more trees now? Wait for Fall prices.

I don't know if you would be interested or not but i make trees that are made for things like the mountain you have. You can see them on my website, www.OldCedarStudios.com They are 1.55 each for ground foam foliage or 1.75 each for noch foliage.

Well Folks,
The weekend is coming to a close and I was hoping to hear a few reports of Heki trees from your local hobby shops??? Maybe everyone stayed home this weekend. I mamanged to pick up 2 boxes on Frank's suggestion but I need more. Any help for Heki HK 0309 will be appreciated.

Paul Edgar
Vice President
TCA

quote:

Spring for more trees now? Wait for Fall prices.

Yeah - don't be a sap!

What kind of bases do the Heki trees come with? How do you plant them?
My entire layout is covered with 1 1/2" foam and would prefer posts verses glue down bases.

Charlie,
Most are twisted wire, so for foam just push in, done. Wood or harder material would need to be drilled, etc. So no bases to deal with. The morw expesive trees seem to have molded trunks with natural bases, I have not used them.

My mountain is foam also so it is easy to plant and if I change my mind about a location, no problem. Most of their trees are $$$$$$$$ especially the hard wood trees, look great, but to $$$$$$$$. 0309's are their economy model, 50 2" and 50 3" trees for about $20. thats .20 per tree. That is why I can't see using toothpics with cotton balls or what ever. I do flock them however.

Paul Edgar
Vice President
TCA

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Paul Edgar,

Paul,
Thanks for the information. I agree with you on the 0309's great value. I'm at the same point you are and was looking at these as well. For the price you can't lose!

Well it's offical. The only distributer for Heki products just confirmed that a lot of Heki stuff including my 0309's won't be resupplied until Oct. Probably in time for York. I was not able to get a list of who they sell to so I am SOS! So the call goes out to you again HELP ME FIND HEKI TREES HK0309. I was able to pick up 2 boxes on a forum members suggestion. I want to believe that that are more out there. So, in your travels, espically to hobby shops keep a lookout for me PLEASE!!! I really want to run trains I have been 5 years without a layout and can't lay any track until this beast of a mountain is done. Thanks in advance.



Paul Edgar
Vice President
TCA

Alas!!! I found 2 more boxes of Heki 309 trees from Hobby Time in Amarillo, Texas. I have called over 50 shops around the country and still need 2 more boxes so the call is still out to check your local shop for me. Thanks in advance.


Paul Edgar
Vice President
TCA