Introduction

Chestnut Tree, 18.5 cm high is a new model by NOCH in their PROFI-Trees range "Tall". PROFI-Trees are the high quality offerings by NOCH, designed to be true to scale, professional models. They strive for realistic forms and natural colors.

Tall PROFI-Trees

Did you know that birches can grow up to 30 meters and lime trees up to 40 m? A birch tree then would be up to 34 cm high in H0 gauge, and a lime tree up to 50 cm. This would be a bit too high for us. However, we do understand that it would be good to also have some beautiful, tall solitary trees on a wonderful layout. For that reason, NOCH now offers tall and impressive Birch Trees, Lime Trees, Oak Trees and Chestnut Trees.

PROFI-Tree Chestnut

This model is packed in a blister pack stapled to a heavy card backing label. The tree is loose is the package. Useful graphics on the front are silhouettes of a human in HO, TT, and N scales, with graduation marks to demonstrate the height of the model. On the back label is a table listing trees that NOCH models, the prototype heights and those scale heights for HO, TT, N, and Z Scales.

Each tree is made from plastic. The trunk is molded with slight bark detail, and seems to be a one-piece molding. The base is molded to resemble roots in earth and resembles the trunk base of big trees in my yard.

The trunk is molded with integral boughs and branches, some of which appear to be separately attached. Some have flash. The trunk is modeled with a scar in the bark to make the tree look more realistic.

NOCH paints the trunks by hand to avoid any shining plastic surface. Brown paint is used. The chestnut trees in my neighborhood tend to be light gray. It looks like I can repaint it without much effort if I so choose to.

Chestnuts I've seen have a fairly uniform shape and leaf density. For foliage NOCH covers the branches with fine wool before they are flocked. NOCH uses their own milled and painted material representing the leaf shapes and colors of the subject tree. On some branches the coverage is dense; I have considered brushing some of the flocking away.

The foliage has no sheen to it, with different colors of leaves. The result is a convincing tree that does not have the "cookie cutter" duplication of most mass-marketed model trees.

Scale Sizes

NOCH's Tall PROFI-Trees are almost 7 ½ inches high. How high is that?

1/24: 15 feet

1/35: 21 feet 9 inches

1/48 (O scale): 30 feet

1/72: 45 feet

HO (1/87): 54 feet

To visually demonstrate this model chestnut, I show it with:

Figures of 1/35, 1/48 and HO-1/87

Tanks of 1/35, 1/48 and HO-1/87

50' boxcars in HO and N scales

HO farm tractors and animals

HO-1/87 and 1/35 structures

Conclusion

I think this Tall PROFI-Tree chestnut looks convincing with nice armatures, bark detail, and fine leaf detail and color. The realistic shape is open and shows the armatures within. However, the trunk is painted brown. This tree looks very good and can be a good front row tree. Recommended.

Please remember to tell NOCH and retailers that you saw this news here - on KitMaker.