Thread: Sleepy Hollow Tree

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I was watching sleepy hollow the other night and immediately knew what I wanted to do for this year. I am doing a smaller cemetery in the woods, with the the main thing being the trees. The key piece I want to do is one where the roots are alive like the resting place of the horseman. My need for help is threefold;

The tree itself I will do out of chicken wire, any thoughts on monstermud vs paper mache?

The second is any good tips on bark. I have seen bark tape but it is absurd in price. I have done paper mache before, but not monster mud. Can it be textured as it dries? I really want it to look like a tree

The one thing I really need help on is mechanics for the roots. I want snake like movement. I have done all static displays in the past with movement being from something preset to move so I can really use some ideas.

I look forward to all the feedback and thank you ahead of time.

The bark I cant help you with, but the roots I'd suggest using a Shiatsu massage machine and foam pipe insulation for the roots themselves, it would or should give you the snake-like movement you're looking for.

Oh! A thought just occured to me for the bark, wood chips like from a branch shredder in moster mud could give you the right texture.

That shredder idea might be a good one, might test it on a small scale, thanks!

I just saw this on Haunt Forum and thought it might help you with the bark.

http://www.hauntforum.com/showthread.php?t=22898

IMU made these great pilings and they have a great wood texture. This may be able to help you out.

Originally Posted by BR1MSTON3

The second is any good tips on bark. I have seen bark tape but it is absurd in price. I have done paper mache before, but not monster mud. Can it be textured as it dries? I really want it to look like a tree

Monster mud is just drywall compound so you should be able to give it a wood texture before it dries or even after.

Not sure which would be better for a tree, the mud or mache.

Also, you can use this link to maybe make the roots move. Look at the stalk around fingers at the bottom.

Pumpkin King Stalkaround

Originally Posted by Hallowennie315

Also, you can use this link to maybe make the roots move. Look at the stalk around fingers at the bottom.

Pumpkin King Stalkaround

That is pretty cool movement, I don't know how I would get it to move on its own though. I also thought about those wood snakes that move, I would just have to get some simple up down movement to get them to move back and forth.

Thanks for the idea

Originally Posted by RCIAG

Monster mud is just drywall compound so you should be able to give it a wood texture before it dries or even after.

Not sure which would be better for a tree, the mud or mache.

Thanks for the thought. I want to experiment with the MM this year and think I will try. I think if I run grooves down it with a trowel or something and just come in with some horizontal grooves, I can make a pretty good bark. Thanks for the tip.

I used MM on my tree, and it did OK. I was in a hurry, so the tree was not properly finished for Halloween 2009. I plan to add hands with lit candles this year. Just note that you will need to paint over the MM with latex paint. I used chicken wire over 4 inch PVC. Check out the pic for an idea.