Cherry blossom, a tree so beautiful, it belongs with the Elves...

Good mate Roly has been enjoying a hobby jaunt in the Orient recently, as can be seen in many of his current blog posts...

As part of this adventure in a new setting, some suitable terrain was required and Roly sourced some model Cherry Blossom trees, I believe, from a Hong Kong based ebay trader...

Having made what he needed to create the setting he was after, he found he had an excess, and very kindly offered me a spare pack...

Like Roly, I always love good terrain on the tabletop, and these were a wonderful addition to my own terrain collection, and recent DIY trees I made from bottle brushes...

I based them on 60mm discs cuts from 3mm MDF. Used hot glue to attach to the base, then added my usual tea-leaf brown flock, with PVA/brown paint (50 /50 mix), then green static grass to finish. I am tempted to add some flower clumps too...

I couldn't help but think their bright colourful display was very in keeping with an Elven setting, and feel this is probably how I will use them most. It also inspires me to try and make some suitably Galadhrim dwellings to go with them... I may have a look over the PC game; The Battle for MiddleEarth II, for a little inspiration and ideas...

Interestingly too, I do feel that the way PJ et al at WETA envisaged the elves, draws somewhat from oriental themes, in their long bows, curved elven blades and banded armour, so perhaps the match up with Cherry blossom trees is rather apt!

Galadhrim defend their home land