How to make a model tree with sea foam

A finished model tree with a twisted wire trunk and green sea foam foliage

This tree is made from twisted wire for the trunk and branches, with sea foam for the smallest branches.

A finished model tree with a twisted wire trunk and green sea foam foliage

  • Tree: twisted wire and sea foam
  • Height: 230mm
  • Trunk colour: brown, speckled
  • Foliage: none, and mid green

Make the trunk and branches

The trunk is made from twisted wire. Start with many gathered lengths and work up the tree, creating branches by gathering sections of the trunk wire.

Lengths of wire twisted together to form the trunk

You can always add extra wire to create more branches.

Twisted wire branches spreading from the trunk

Coat the trunk

Once you are happy with the shape of the tree, coat the trunk and branches with hot glue. You can then top the glue with filler and scratch in trunk detail once it has dried.

The base of the trunk coated in filler with bark detail scratched in

Paint and add the sea foam

After painting the tree, attach pieces of sea foam using superglue. The sea foam creates the smaller branches of the tree.

The painted trunk and branches

Fine sea foam branches glued to the ends of the painted branches

Add the foliage

Apply the foliage using texture fixed with PVA glue. Here we have used a mid green colour.

The tree on its base, with sea foam offcuts and scissors on the bench

What you need