Create Dimensional Palm Trees On A Wall

Living in an area of the country where snow is only seen in pictures… I don’t know exactly what (or when) a three season porch is used for. When I saw the pictures of this porch I was blown away and a bit jealous. Barbara has added a light tropical touch to a room that could be very “log cabin” in theme. But… she has a problem.

I have a three season porch that I have decorated in a tropical theme complete with lighted palm trees!

I took a carpet roll, split it in two and covered two of the support beams in between the windows. Originally, I painted them to look like bark and put greens at the top and mini lights (and even a coconut hanging from the greenery).

Since day one I have not liked the paint job on the tree . It is too flat. The roll is too thick to cut V-shaped nics in it to peel down (like was suggested on various Google searches). In my mind, I want the trunk to look like a Cycas Palm.

I thought of taking joint compound, layering it around the carpet roll and molding it to look like the real tree and then painting it. My only problem is that I live in Massachusetts (where it seems to be perpetually winter this year) and the porch (although covered from the elements) can reach temperatures around zero. I’m afraid that the joint compound will crack and be ruined.

Do you know of any materials that I could use to cover the carpet roll and paint? I even thought of bark mulch but it’s not uniform enough. Any suggestions? I want them to be life like!

I spend most of my summer on that porch and it drives me nuts to know what I want them to look like and seeing them as they are (I am my own worst enemy)

Thanks for any suggestions you may have.

Barbara —————–

Hi Barbara, I love your summer porch.

I live on my porch about 7 months out of the year, but it’s not enclosed. It might be fun to have an area that I could use during the summer months… when it’s 115 degrees outside.

Anyway… about the palms. I use this really cool stuff. You are going to Love This!

It’s called Durhams Rock Hard Water Putty…I use this stuff in a hundred different ways and it seems like it will be perfect.

Joint compound is too soft. This stuff works like plaster in it’s liquid form but sets up like a rock. You can “paint” it on if you make it thin enough.

Two great things about this stuff. If you put it on thick enough.. I usually do several layers. It takes a while to set up.. I mean hours. During this time… you can “carve” it – which means you could carve in grooved horizontal rings to mimic the bark.

The other great thing is it’s tintable. I found at some hardware stores I could purchase powder concrete tints’ or colorants.I mix up batches of the rock hard stuff each with a different tint.Then I have colors to play with. Of course you can paint over this stuff when it’s fully set up.

How’s that for an idea? Let me know if I can answer any more questions… Debra

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Hi Debra,

Thanks for the info on the Durhams Rock Hard Water Putty. I called the company and asked them if it would withstand the New England temperatures and he said it should.

He suggested putting it on about 1/4″ thick. I will give it a try. I love the idea about tinting it too before applying it. That will be a time saver.

My other thought was to purchase palm bark shingles (pricey) or someone suggested using doll house shingles. I have no idea if that would work either.

I am going look into the putty first because I have it in my head how I want them to look and the putty would allow me to scuplt it the way I want.

Thanks again for the info and if I ever finish this project (when the porch warms up), I will send you pictures!