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Author Topic: oak tree leaves bending too much  (Read 1924 times)

Offline Macruran

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oak tree leaves bending too much
« on: November 16, 2014, 20:11:58 »
(if this is the wrong forum, please move)

So the leafy branches of the oak tree tend to bend upwards quite dramatically. Since this violates gravity and looks a little silly, I'd like to at least straighten them out. Putting them under heavy books for months hasn't worked. Is there a special trick?
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Offline Birdie

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Re: oak tree leaves bending too much
« Reply #1 on: November 16, 2014, 20:28:51 »
No idea, but if someone has an answer, I'd like to hear it too.

And it's strange, because some of my oak leave branches have it, and some don't.
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Offline Macruran

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Re: oak tree leaves bending too much
« Reply #2 on: November 16, 2014, 20:33:20 »
I have a couple spare branches. I think I might try microwaving one.
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Offline playmofire

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Re: oak tree leaves bending too much
« Reply #3 on: November 16, 2014, 20:40:18 »
Try soaking in hot water and then bending and then plunge into cold water (all at your own risk, of course).
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Offline Ismene

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Re: oak tree leaves bending too much
« Reply #4 on: November 16, 2014, 21:31:55 »
Quote from: Macruran on November 16, 2014, 20:33:20
I have a couple spare branches. I think I might try microwaving one.

I tried this on another part and got some discoloration. I think putting it into hot water for a couple minutes is probably safer.
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Offline Robbie

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Re: oak tree leaves bending too much
« Reply #5 on: November 17, 2014, 00:42:07 »
I have the issue with a hideaway tree (3626/7093). The tree looks pretty bad.  :-\
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Offline Giorginetto

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Re: oak tree leaves bending too much
« Reply #6 on: November 20, 2014, 21:26:11 »
I had a couple of oak branches that were severely deformed. i used a hair drier for a but being very careful not to melt them of course and once they were pretty hot i put a heavy book on top of them. it worked twice i did this !!! many many years ago but i still recall my joy back then  ;D
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Offline Bolingbroke

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Re: oak tree leaves bending too much
« Reply #7 on: November 24, 2014, 07:55:50 »
As giorginetto said, be careful. I bought one off ebay ones, and the leaves were melted. I think it's safer with the hot water than with the hairdryer. Pop them into some very hot but not boiling water for 2 or 3 minutes, and they should get back to the shape they were molded in. I use this method all the time with my action figures.
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Offline Macruran

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Re: oak tree leaves bending too much
« Reply #8 on: November 29, 2014, 01:19:15 »
I am pleased to report that the hot water/cold water method works.

Boiled some water in my glass electric kettle. Let it sit for a while - half an hour? - until it was still hot but I could comfortably put my fingers in it. Poured some into a small bowl, plunged the branch in, let it soak for a bit, manipulated it into shape, then doused the reformed branch with cold water. It "froze" into the new shape.

Soon I will do the rest of the branches and maybe do a Teutoberg dio.

Thank you everyone for your advice! Playmofriends is righteous.

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