Trees!

[Keith Hayes]

Trees return to the Upper Arkansas Valley!

Way too long ago, I met John Mckenzie and his tree jig. Being something of a hoarder, I both recognized the value of the jig and did not know how many John and his brother would make: I bought one on the spot. And I have barely used it since. John took it back and put a turbo on it--he added nylon clutches. Later models have an aluminum frame and a power drill. Mine is a V 2.3, ore something like that.

The time has come. I have visited John many times and even traveled to his shop, but it has been a minute. I got out the rope, my steel pet comb and wire cutters and started making trees.

Keep in mind John has made multiple forests on our layouts,  and I have only made about 40 trees: I have some learning to do. But the technique is forgiving and even my first results were, "good enough. "

John has some recommended foam colors,  and I stocked up on these eons ago. I did some searches, and Englemann Fir predominates along the High Line. There are also some Pines and, in wet spots, Colorado Blue Spruce. I recall John used brown paint for the branches,  but upon reflection, I thought that the branches I have seen are a black-dark grey. So I got some black--actually dark Walnut, and a dark grey, and went to work.

I watched one video on YouTube and that guy used hair spray for glue. I got out John's DVD and he used paint as the glue. John recommends a latex product as it takes longer to dry.

No matter: my enamel worked good enough,  and I am very pleased with the results. I really like the several Spruces!

As I said, I have about 40 trees, and John must have sold 1,000s: I have some time to refine my art!

FYI, John no longer is making the jigs for sale, but he is still making trees.