As with any layout, a few modeling issues arose when I began building my version of paradise. My biggest challenge was re-creating scenery that captured the unique volcanic terrain covered with lush green foliage – coconut palm trees in particular. Besides hula girls and pineapples, nothing identifies a Hawaiian setting quite like tall, lanky, feather-topped palms.
Because I needed a large quantity of these signature Hawaiian palms, purchasing ready-made trees would have been prohibitively expensive. Instead, I made my palm trees using artificial plant and floral materials sold at craft stores, plus a few assorted workbench supplies. By following my instructions, you can make inexpensive, yet realistic, palm trees appropriate for Hawaii, Southern California, Florida, or any other tropical paradise you model on your layout.
At a craft store, I bought a few 5-foot long strands of plastic garland that contained artificial ferns. Using sprue cutters, I separated 45 fern clusters from the garland. To make HO scale trees, use fern clusters with branches measuring between 1/2″ to 1-1/2″ long.
Floral wire or 18-gauge copper wire is flexible enough to form into tree trunks I cut the wire into pieces between 4″ to 10″ long and then removed the insulation. To add texture, I wrapped bands of floral tape around the wire, leaving 1/4″ exposed at one end.
After wrapping several wires, I inserted the exposed ends into a block of foam bead board. I mixed brown acrylic paint with a drop or two of black to create an authentic brownish gray trunk. I used a small brush to paint the floral tape.
Using sprue cutters, I trimmed individual fronds from the larger fern branches I cut from the garland. Separating the fronds into long, medium, and short groups, made it much easier to select the appropriate size when attaching them to the wire trunks.
Using sprue cutters, I trimmed individual fronds from the larger fern branches I cut from the garland. Separating the fronds into long, medium, and short groups, made it much easier to select the appropriate size when attaching them to the wire trunks.
I applied a bead of hot glue on the end of the trunk and place one long frond onto the glue. After the glue cooled, I added a full layer of long fronds. Next, I added a layer of medium-sized fronds, followed by a layer of short ones. Finally, I sprayed on a coat of matte finish.
I planted the palms in clusters among dense green ground cover. To detail your palm, make scale coconut pads from modeling clay and highlight longer fronds with yellow paint to represent dying foliage. Add either of these details to the top of a tree or on the grounds.
This is great idea and simple performance, I buy that method,thanks
The trees are great, they look just like the ones in Hawaii, if you wanted to make it more realistic, they put metal bands around the trees to prevent rats from chewwing on the coconuts, and having them fall on people. They also seem to remove the coconuts too.
Great job I would like a video also.
nice trees but i think watching a video will be good
Very nice. I need lots of these for my N scale Vietnam based layout.
Now all we need is someone to explain to us how to make banana plants!
This realy helps us here in Florida. We have Palm Trees every where. Thanks
Thanks for the article, the ACL,SAL, and FEC will have palm trees that don't break the bank.
Great palms, but for me the best is that background.
Lovely to see such work.
We modeled some Coconut Palms when this article first was published in 2008. We accidently discovered a fun addition. As we were gluing the fronds on with the hot glue, some of the glue dropped onto our work surface in small round "globs". We collected several of the globs and attached them to the trunk up near the fonds and they made perfect coconuts. The trees are still up on a demonstration layout at our local hobby shop.
I used to live on Oahu and would see the small railroad run in the EVA/Barbers point area. The layout would pass for Hawaii. Great Job.!
Beatiful work Joseph. I live on Oahu and love your layout. And for James T. Big Island Rail is freelanced. It doesn't exist. But still go to the Big Island. There is a small railroad museum north of Hilo that has some equipment. Its on all the tourist maps.
I am from Philippines, a producer of Copra (dried coconut meat), and I just love the rendition of your coconut tree… My version (chicken rump feather (for the fronds) just don't give credence as yourrs would be in my tropical Coastal layout… THANKS for showing it!!
By the way, in the Philippines coconut trees are planted a considerable distance apart . . no two trees are near each other…
Again, thanks for showing.. Now I'll visit a novelty in my town and get those artificial (plastic) ferns…
Love 'em. I'm doing a southern cal layout so this will help. I imagine it'll work for the shorter variety palms too.
As much as I dislike real palm trees, I do like yours.
Excellent idea.
i live in Puerto Rico.this is a tropical island,and this is a nice tip for making palms tree.thanks and keep going.
I also live in Puerto Rico and I am modeling in On30 to despict the Amarican RR in the Island during the late 40's. this article will will make it easier to model palm trees. Also I will like to make contact with Melvin Santiago also from P.R.
Needs a video to explain it
Be good!!!
I like your palms, I LOVE the concept of your RR, and the backfrops remind me of how Oahu looked after an afternoon rain. Excellent modeling with a great premise!
I live on Oahu and I am always amzed when I see the Big Island railroad. Someday I will have to get down to the big Island to see this railroad first-hand.
Great job.
Very Good Idea. Excellent Job in working out side the box!
Patten your Coconut Palm Trees before its mass produced.
muy buena idea…. espero que siempre manden sus tips
I like the trees, because we were there for 4 weeks on vacation. Beautiful work.