Set Design and Construction: Attaching Tree Branches

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Attaching Tree Branches

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Set Design and Construction
Forum Discription: Post your questions or suggestions about designing or building a set here.
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4307
Printed Date: 5/18/24 at 6:03pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Attaching Tree Branches

Posted By: kvanwagner
Subject: Attaching Tree Branches
Date Posted: 10/25/09 at 6:48am

Hello again everyone-

Bought cardboard concrete tubes to make the bases of our 8' trees (12" diameter). now we are onto the chicken wire/paper mache tree branches.

Any ideas on how to attach the branches to the tubes? We're using camo netting for the foliage. We will have 2 1X3X8's inside the tubes for stability.

Replies:

Posted By: Gaafa
Date Posted: 10/26/09 at 9:52pm

What might make it easier is to cover the tubes in unbleached calico [muslin]. Which will add to crinkle bark effect & bunch it loosly to take & attach the branches. Where by the this will reinforce any branch attachment method, such a glueing or even stapling. When the raw calico/muslin is wet it will shrink & tighten any jionts.

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Joe
Western Gondawandaland
turn right @ Perth.
Hear the light & see the sound.
Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"}
May you always play
to a full house}

Posted By: vickifrank
Date Posted: 10/27/09 at 8:43am

You could cut a 2" x 2" square into the cardboard and insert a 2 foot long 2"x2" with a bevelled end. The bevelled end rests against the 1x3s you have inside to allow the 2x2 to tilt upward and be strong. Then screw through the cardboard to attach the base even better. These little 2 foot wood pieces are now attachment points for the folliage and branches.

Then I'd do Joe's method on top for more structure and the great bark effect that he mentioned--besides the muslin will allow some sculpting of realistic root systems.

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