Fondant Tree

I made a tree recently for the first time and wanted to share the steps I took to make it. It was my first attempt, so it's by no means perfect, but I think pretty darn good for a first try!

Here's a step by step breakdown of the process I used and the changes I'd make in the future:

- take a piece of floral wire and bend it in half, form it into a "Y" looking shape - the two points will be the main tree branches.
- form some dark brown fondant around the wire (I should have used gumpaste since it dries harder, but I had some brown fondant already available)...leave some wire exposed at the bottom of the trunk so you can stick it into some styrofoam to dry
- once the fondant is formed around the wire stick it into some styrofoam
- cut another small piece of wire and cover in fondant, stick it onto the tree as a third branch
- take some small pieces of fondant and make the roots
- using a veining tool make some veins on the trunk and branches
- leave on the styrofoam, standing upright, to dry 

- make the leaves using green fondant and a leaf press
- I had the leaves dry overnight, but in hidnsight it would be a lot easier if they were still soft and formable when applying to the tree. 

- once the tree has dried, apply the leaves with some gum glue
- let dry completely 

I wasn't crazy about how the leaves turned out. They were really hard to apply since they were dry and hard to stick onto each other. I think it would be a lot easier if they were still formable. Overall though, I was pleased with it and I think it went well with the rest of the cake (which I'll post soon).