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In-Box Review
Deciduous Tree, 13 inches Tall
Deciduous Tree, 35 cm
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by: Frederick Boucher [ JPTRR ]

Deciduous Tree, 13.77 inches
Laubbaum 35 cm
Item: 68030
Scale: G (See text)


Introduction

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.


Realistic trees are a holy grail of modeling, especially when they are factory made. NOCH makes trees both large and small, in many types and species. This large tree is marketed for G scale and is suitable for smaller scales, too.

In the not-necessarily 'good old days', modelers made trees out of whatever their imagination and skill could fashion trunks and branches and foliage from. Colored sawdust was commonly used for leaves. Back in the 1980s, in the computer era of punch cards, the chads were popular with many modelers because they were uniform in size and flat.

G Scale Deciduous Tree, 35 cm
NOCH packages this tree and base in a big plastic bag. The base is a small yellow cardboard base with a flower meadow printed on it. Two-sided tape holds the roots to it. The bag also keeps loose foliage from shedding everywhere.

I do not know if this model is meant to represent a specific species of tree. It has a nice deciduous canopy atop a trunk of molded bark texture. Compared to the Bradford pear trees in my backyard, it looks realistic.

The foliage is gossamer colored foam that is somewhat like lichen. Bunches are attached to the branches. Handle with care, it is easy to knock off the tree. Waste not, want not -- I swept it up and it will enhance my ground cover.

The trunk and boughs are plastic. The trunk is made of several sections. Gaps where the segments meet are obvious. Branches are molded and although they are hard to see through the thick foliage, they look good branching from the trunk.

The base is the root base. It looks like NOCH tried to blend everything together with a thick textured brown paint. Tree trunk color is a fun debate; most trees I've studied have gray bark, so I am not a fan of brown tree trunks. However, nobody can stop you from painting your bark to with the colors of your choice, which is what I did in a few of these photos.

How tall is this tree?
How tall is this tree? That depends on what scale you intend your G Scale to be. Please see What Is 'G Scale'? below. The accepted range for G spans 1/20 through 1/32. The (rounded) height per scale is:

    1/20.3: 23 feet / 7 m
    1/24 - 1/25: 28 feet / 9 m
    1/29: 33 feet / 10 m
    1/32 (54 mm): 36 feet / 11 m
    1/48/O scale: 55 feet / 17 m
    1/72: 83 feet / 26 m
    HO/1/87: 100 feet / 32 m

What will this model look like on your layout or diorama? Pictured is the tree with:

    • 1/48 Pz.Kfw. III tank with an O scale woman
    • 1/35 Japanese tank with crew and city lady
    • HO automobile

Conclusion
This model tree can certainly dominate your layout and diorama in a positive way. I think the tree looks good. In its thick application the foliage mimics leaves fairly well. It does not simulate leaves as realistically as other material, and it is easy to knock off. There is some bark detail. And it is painted brown instead of a more common gray.

Overall the model is a good looking tree.

What Is 'G Scale'?

Many modelers think G stands for ”Garden scale”. The best explanation I know of is this one:
    The term "scale" is a misnomer, as the actual scale of the trains that run on it vary from system to system, country to country. G scale is more correctly called "G Gauge", as the gauge of the track, 45 mm (1.772 in), is the one consistency. [I believe this is incorrect: G scale properly refers only to 22.5:1 proportion. Gauge refers to distance between railheads; track having 45 mm gauge is properly referred to as #1 Gauge track. It is the term "G Gauge" that is the misnomer.]

    The name comes from the German groß (meaning "big"). Traditionally, G scale is the use of 45 mm (1.772 in) gauge track, as used for standard gauge (Gauge 1) models, for modelling 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in) narrow gauge railways, using the correct scale of 1:22.5. Metre gauge is the most common narrow gauge in Europe, where it is known as IIm.

    Some people think that the "G" in G Scale stands for Garden Scale. This is also a misnomer, but the term Garden Trains has picked up usage over the last several years in the media to describe G Scale Trains.

    In the United States, the commonly used narrow gauge is 3 ft (914 mm); modelling this correctly with a 45 mm (1.772 in) track gauge gives a scale of 1:20.3, which is commonly used by American manufacturers. These products are labelled G Scale, even though in reality they are not. Some modellers and train producers call 1:20.3 narrow gauge "Fn3 scale".

    Other scales are used to model other narrow gauges.

    Gn15 modellers use 1:24 scale parts and details along with H0/00 scale track (16.5 mm/0.650 in gauge) to model 15 in (381 mm) gauge railroads, otherwise known as minimum gauge.

    Although some call models of standard gauge equipment to 45 mm (1.772 in) track gauge 'G scale', these models are more correctly referred to as Gauge 1, I Scale (NEM Standard 010), or 3/8" scale (NMRA S-1).†

__________
References

†. Wikipedia. G scale. [Web.] 1 May 2012.

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KitMaker.
SUMMARY
Highs: Thick foliage mimics leaves fairly well. Nice roots.
Lows: Foliage material is easy to knock off. Bark detail is painted brown instead of a more common gray.
Verdict: Overall the model makes a good looking tree.
Percentage Rating
80%
  Scale: Multiple S
  Mfg. ID: 68030
  Related Link: NOCH Large Trees series
  PUBLISHED: May 31, 2013
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 87.04%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 89.22%

Our Thanks to NOCH!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Frederick Boucher (JPTRR)
FROM: TENNESSEE, UNITED STATES

I'm a professional pilot with a degree in art. My first model was an AMT semi dump truck. Then Monogram's Lunar Lander right after the lunar landing. Next, Revell's 1/32 Bf-109G...cried havoc and released the dogs of modeling! My interests--if built before 1900, or after 1955, then I proba...

Copyright ©2021 text by Frederick Boucher [ JPTRR ]. All rights reserved.



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