hy,

i would like to use sticks from nature for my woodlanddio. so my question is, what did i have to do with this naturestuff that it lives long on my dio and doesn´t get damaged by time.

thanks,
greetings from germany
drunken

Marc - I assume you are talking about using "sticks" for tree trunks ? Moisture is the enemy, try to find dryed sticks or dry them out yourself. I have several I picked up over 20 years ago that still look fine and natural.

With any folage you may use dry is the key, like dried flowers, once dry if not handled, it will last vitually forever. You can also try sealing it with Hairspray or clear laquer, but be careful of color changes (experiment).

Hello, Marc, greetings from Pennsylvania...
In regards to your question about natural wood, such as sticks and such, I have used common U.S. wood in dio's and such with no treatment at all, with great success. As long as you keep the moisture away, there shouldn't be a problem...But I guess you could treat the wood with a clear matte spray for added protection.
Gunny

Vielen Dank mein Freund. Und Grüße von San Diego, California, USA... (sorry if my German is bad... it has been a long time since High School and College.)

I first dry them out - unusually on top of a tool shed I have at the side of my home. Then I spray them with satin finished polyurethane. Dry again and toss into a box I store them in until I am ready to use them. Once attached I paint and dry brush them.

One note, as a youth I made models and simple dried the sticks and roots I dug up or collected. Some 20-30 years later they still are in the same shape... some a little dustier, but no damage, rot or deterioration.

So many all that work is not needed? Good luck!

John Neill

thanks all for help.

so bevor the winter, the cold days were comming to germany i collect some twigs and sticks from a grape vine. they r so cool, like noch woodland scenic. just collect.... wow.

but like everyone of us, we would like to keep it long living, so thanks for ur postings, i will try it.

the colour ist not realy the problem, the twigs has to simulate just some stumps. there r trees to spend shadow, so it will not be my biggest problem.

i often read something from vanish ?!? don´t know what this word is in german, but i can use hairspray, make it glitter, lol, it´s ok.

so thanks again, greetings to all helping countries...

btw, no other international forum is so great like this one. where does all nations work together? *lol* and the joke is, a "war" forum... no politican would belief it...

thanks.
greetings
marc