Trees:
I've wanted to try making a tree for ages, probably longer than this layout has been in existence. I always held off because I felt it better to wait til there was some sort of scene to put it in, otherwise it just becomes yet another random and contextless item (and I have enough of those!).
My original intention was to make something to be placed at the left hand side of the layout, by the house, but it quickly became apparent that what I was putting together would not fit the limited space.
After a bit of destruction, followed by reassembly, I chose a different location with a bit more all-round space to make it easier for myself.
Construction wise, it's made from that green coated florist wire stuff twisted together, with other shorter "branches" superglue to the main trunk as required. This is easy to twist (and untwist when it goes wrong!).
The shape evolved multiple times: I kept looking out of the window at real trees in the gardens, and it wasn't difficult to see where mine could be improved shape-wise.
Ages ago, I bought a pot of Flexibark from Greenscene, and this has been used for the, well, bark. The texture of the twisted wire is still apparent in places, so a few more coats are needed and the base of the trunk needs thickening too.
I'm still thinking about foliage - I have various scatters and packets of "green stuff" when the time comes.
But for a first effort, I'm pretty pleased so far!
Matt