Pine Needle Bases

[Putzfrau]

I have a bit of a unique question. I'm planning on making a "pine forest" type base for my lizards. Think Pacific Northwest (if you're familiar with that area of the states) with a dark floor, pine needles, mushrooms, some sticks, tree stumps, etc.

I'm struggling to find a convincing way to create pine needles to lay on sections of the base and was wondering if anyone had any experience (or suggestions) on creating this type of basing.

A lot of things i'm reading suggest natural materials (herbs, real twigs, real pine needles cut to size, etc) and I haven't had much experience using those type of materials. Is there anything specific you need to do to avoid things like that rotting?


Thanks for the help!

 

[Aginor]

Hmmm that's hard as pine needles are pretty small compared to the model.

I know that there are some products for that kind of forest, mostly for model train terrain.
Might work.

 

[Putzfrau]

Hmmm that's hard as pine needles are pretty small compared to the model.

I know that there are some products for that kind of forest, mostly for model train terrain.
Might work.

Thanks! I actually haven't looked to see if something would be available for purchase, so i'll definitely check my local hobby store for their model train terrain. I don't know why but my brain just automatically assumed it would be something i'd have to make.

 

[Aginor]

For forest floor I like to use the stuff from "Busch"

In your case Busch 7529 "ground cover: pine forest" might be worth a try.

https://www.amazon.de/Busch-7529-Nadelwald-Boden/dp/B0013BKAOQ

 

[PieterPieter]

Check out this video by Paepercuts where he makes some pine trees:

The majority of the video focusses on making the trees. Near the end he also decorates the base of the forest. Might give you some inspiration.

Good luck!

 

[Putzfrau]

Those are both perfect, thank you!