Preserving Lichen for Trees and Shrubs (How to)

I hope I have posted this to the correct area in the forum.

Hello to all interested.

I have seen some mention of people wanting to use Lichen for trees or shrubs on there
layouts, but are not sure, or can't remember the correct method for preserving.

Allow me to contribute the method used by my father.

And Now passed down to me.

Using this method will keep the Lichen soft for many years. (30 for sure.)

Collect Lichen (AKA: Reindeer moss) while it is fresh.

Use care to clean the lichen of soil or other types of dirt that is attached.
use a "soft" spray of water if needed.

If Wet, allow to dry to a moist state before preserving. (over night is good.)

Trim away any coarse material you don't want with scissors.

Obtain an empty margarine tub (With lid), or small ice cream pail (With lid)

Basicaly any plastic, or glass containter "with a tight lid" (A large jar will do.)

Combine equal parts denatured alcohol and glycerin. (50/50 mix)

If you want to change the color of the lichen (Darker Green, orange, red) for example.

Add enough food coloring to the solution for the desired color/shade. (Very little usually.)

(Use rubber gloves if using food coloring.) - (My father literally had a green thumb, so will you.)

You will need to mix enough solution to cover (Submerge) the Lichen in the solution.

If you have a large amount of lichen to cure, consider curing it in small batches.

Soak the Lichen in the solution for 2 days (48 Hours). (Can be longer, but no more than 1 week)

Cover the bowl / pail / Jar, with a tight lid to prevent the alcohol from evaporating.

When done (48 hours to 1 week later.)

Remove and allow excess solution to drip back into your chosen container.

If you have added food coloring. Remember to use rubber gloves when removing the lichen.

Be sure that the surface you are drying on is an old pice of plywood.
cover the surface with layers of Paper towels, or old rags.

Spread out the lichen evenly and allow to dry completely in a well ventilated area.

Two weeks to dry is usually enough, and One month for most of the Oder to dissipate.

(Doing this work outside in a garage or green-house may be a good idea.)

The smell of this solution can be annoying to some.

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Trunks and branches of the trees can be created using wire twisted and bent to the desired shape.

(Strips of Toilet Paper soaked in 50/50 white carpenters glue and water.)

Wrapped around in layers to form a tapering trunk. no need to be smooth a bit bumpy is good.

Branches can be left as is and painted.

Brown with black streaks for Pine bark, or white with black streaks and specks for Burch.

You could also use very small twigs from bushes. (But they don't bend as well)

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I hope this was helpfull, and a green thunbs up from all who use it.

Kevin.

Thanks for sharing ... I might try the tree trunk method, of course making sure not to use that flowery print toilet paper you find in some bathrooms

Kevin, Well done. Thanks for the info. Yes, you have posted in the correct Forum. Cheers, Jim CCRR:)

Thanks Socalz44

Glad to know I Posted to the correct area, Wasn't quite sure..

To any one with other "Wondering how to do" questions.. Bounce them off me.

I have picked up many tricks from the old man during the past 40 years..

I may know what to do. No guaranties.. But you never know.

Scenery and Electrical. (Mostly). No Kit-bashing stuff, I didn’t do any of that.

Kevin

Thank you for the post.

TerryH