Terrain Ideas: Cheap and Easy Hedgerows
Posted by Lazarus [gallard@triplei.com] on June 18, 1999

This is the 1st installment of terrain ideas for those that don't wish to
spend a fortune on terrain. 

TYPE: Hedgerows
DESC: Hedgerows provide concealment (can't be seen) and limited cover 
      (can't be shot). They provide excellent avenues of approach, and can 
      also act to break up enemy formations

MATERIALS: 

****Heavy posterboard, or old paneling.( I've found that taking bits of
    old wood paneling and using for bases provides a durable base for
    terrain. The cheap stuff is thin enough that your terrain is not 
    sitting too high. You'll need a saw to cut the paneling.) 
****Green Scrub Pads, the type you use for dishes. Cost about $1.00(US)
    for a package of 6.
****Sand like from a sandbox.
****Glue and Paint. I use carpenters glue because it is inexpensive and
    more durable that plain white glue. The paint colors you'll need are
    primarily;  primer and earth tones.

CONSTRUCTION:
1) Cut the base out of whatever material you'll be using. They need to be
6in long x 1 1/2in wide. I cut the ends at a 45 degree angle so that you
can create straight lines or sharp turns, w/o having big gaps. At the very
least, they should look like sausages. Avoid striaght lines on the sides,
as this tends to look un-natural and will draw the eye. 

2) Once the base is cut, brush on diluted glue, then dip it in the sand.
Knock off excess sand and allow to dry. 

3) While the base is drying, take a green scrub pad (aka Green Meanies for
you military types) and cut it in half length wise. You should have 2
peices 6in long and about 2 1/2in high. Trim if neccessary. With your
fingers pull on sides (the wide flat part) to give it a more raggaed look,
then back to the base. 

4) Once the base is dry, spray primer it black (I save time by actually
using brown primer, found in home improvement stores). Priming over the
sand, will act like glue and keep it in place, plus it seals the base. 

5) Once the paint is dry take your hedge (the Green Meanie) and liberally
apply glue to one long edge. Glue it down the middle of the base,
length-wise.  You may need to brace it so it dries standing up. 

6) After allowing the glue to set thouroghly (approx 2-3hrs), wash the
base with a grassy green, then dry-brush with light browns and light
greens. ( Optional: very lightly dry-brush the hedge in a light green; mix
white and green) 

CONCLUSION:
With the use of scrap paneling for the base, you can make about 3 FT of
hedgerow row for about $1US. Play around with the instructions to get the
look you want. These will add depth and life to your battlefeild, and make
your battles more dynamic. Enjoy! 

R/S Lazarus - "Hey!?! Is that bush moving, or have I been in the field too
long?"