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Making Trees with Wire

Several materials can be used to cover the tree. Several brands of plaster can do the trick. I would not use expensive high quality products like "magic sculpt" or milliput. PU resin is not the best choice either, since it is too runny (and too expensive).
After trying several options, my choice goes to a product that is made to glue bathroom tiles. It is a powdery cement-like substance that is mixed with water, so you can make it as thin as you want and apply it with a paintbrush. I prefer it to plaster for two reasons : it contains a sticky substance that is meant to literally "glue" the tiles to the wall, so it sticks well to the tree frame and does not run off. This gluey aspect makes it a bit more flexible than plaster too (which may crack if you're not careful). Furthermore, it has a slightly sandy aspect, that gives your tree a natural look.

Making trees like this takes some experience. Even if your first tree does not look perfect, it will have taught you all you need to know to make a splendid second tree.

Step Four : Adding Twigs

Too add finer branches, you can also call in the help of Mother Nature. Several "brands" of shrubs and trees - or their roots - offer a nice selection of fine twig-like extensions that do just the trick. You can add these individually to the tree structure by using a drop of CA glue, or tie them to the branch with a stand of sewing thread. Twist the thread around the "branch" and the small twig(s) you want to add, then add a drop of glue. Finally, remove the surplus thread.

Instead of one piece of twig, you can tie a few of them together first. To do this, you place a few twigs next to each other, as if you would arrange a bouquet of flowers. When you like the result, add a drop of CA glue at the basis where they must be kept together, and wind a string of sewing-thread around that place. The drop of CA glue will make sure the thread stays fixed for the coming 348 years. Next, you cut away everything below the thread with a sharp hobby knife.

The resulting "bouquet" of twigs can now be added to the tree, at the place where you think this will look right. Keep repeating this process till the whole tree is done. This is a painstaking job that can take an hour - or more - but the end result is worth it !

Here's a few pictures of the same tree. I entered it in the dio contest. Regretfully, I did not take any pictures before the snow was added, but I think the pictures give a good idea of the final structure. Since this is a winter tree, no leaves were added : only branches and twigs.
You could also use the commercially marketed "moss" to replace these twigs, but I think they don't look convincing.