I've just purchased a copy of Cedric Richardson's booklet on a newspaper tree routine. I'm a litte bit puzzled over the description on how to make the tree. When I was a kid I simply rolled up a newspaper and cut the "branches" and then pulled out the centre. Voila!

However, in the booklet it talks about using wallpaper paste to stick the pages together. Does anyone have an idea where I'm suppose to be sticking as surely if the pages are stuck together it's not going to unroll. Or am I being a bit thick?

Does anyone else use the newspaper tree in their show? Does anyone know of other good routines?
Mark

Mark:
What they may be referring to is to take one paper and lay it down... then take the next one and overlap the papers a bit and glue them. You continue to do this so you have a very long paper. You wait for this to dry before you roll the entire unit together. That is the only thing I can think of in regards to what they may be referring to.

I have seen an illusionist (name escapes me) who used to perform a broom suspension style trick using a paper tree as the support. It was very clever and looks amazing.

Hi Mark:

I think Kyle's right - you are simply making a long, rolled up piece of paper similar to a roll of toilet paper. I remember attending a lectur by Arnold Furst, and he described it this way too.

Kyle: I believe the illusionist you're thinking of is Hans Morretti. It was an amazing piece of magic, for sure! I believe he passed away a couple years ago.

Ron

Ron:

Thanks. I think that is the method they are reffering to. Line them up, glue them and have it like a long roll of TP paper.

Hans Moretti. that is the exact name I was trying to recall. Thanks. He did one of the most amazing illusions I have ever seen in my life. His cardboard box illusion with the swords and the chains and then coming out in clown outfit, balloons and the chickens was simply amazing bit of magic and entertainment. To this day I still have no clue how he managed to do that.

If I am wrong someone correct me but I think I saw Moretti in the Netherlands, attending FISM this year.

Ron and Kyle
Thanks for the input! I think you've hit the nail on the head. I can see from the descripton now that is what he is trying to convey.
Mark

Hans is alive, well, and still performing! His wife died within the last year or so.

Hans’ sword box (showing it empty at the beginning, going in shirtless, in tights, and chained, then coming out with a in a clown costume, wig, white face, with a drum and two chickens) is a
masterful marriage (and dramatic updating) of two simple effects found an old U. F. Grant booklet (Victory Carton Magic).

His newspaper tree version of the broom suspension has to be the absolute best version of a broom suspension ever! Suspending his wife from the newspaper tree then cutting it into thirds after she is lowered to standing position, is brilliant!

The wallpaper paste used in the newspaper tree strengthens the tree and allows for a super large version before it folds on itself.

Harry:
Thanks for that great information. I had not heard or seen Hans for a long time. His illusions are simply amazing and some of the best I have ever seen performed.

I had a routine along the lines of a newspaper ladder effect that I performed at the Magic Castle a few years back. This might just start you thinking. I had Wayne Rogers (aka the Pole Man from NZ) build me an appearing ladder that he sells, but mine was covered in newspaper. I would take a newspaper and produce a small ladder from it, then put the ladder in my bag, there would be a confetti cannon go off with newspaper from the bag, and I would reach in and produce a full sized ladder made from paper. It was a great effect.
Wayne Rogers now markets a version of the pole called 'opionion pole' where he produces a pole with newsprint around it. Not quite the 'tree' but you might be able to make something up using the pole idea.

I am using the paper tree in my "explore other worlds" library program. I make a paper hat, the paper tube is used as the telescope and then I make a ships wheel out of paper for my volunteer which we use to travel to other lands to do some exploring, one place we go is to the jungle were they have lots of "tree" and that's when I turn the telelscope into a tree, of course in the jungle we run into "chico the chimp" and that's were the fun starts!
I have used the paper tree for many years during different programs and it actually gets me a bit mad sometimes, when you do all these great tricks the kids clap and laugh.....but then you make a few cuts to a tube of newspaper pull out the tree and it gets the biggest reaction of the show!LOL
I use three full size sheets of newspaper and when you pull the tree out it is about 6 feet tall, I have never used glue on mine, there is no need for it, I use one single small piece of scotch tape on one end to keep the tube from unrolling...........works great, I think the glue is just a waste of time!

Gene Anderson glues a plastic soda straw onto the inside edge of the first newspaper (the edge that you will glue the next paper to) with the straw being exposed just enough to grab onto. This makes it easier to pull the center out without fumbling around.
I recommend his book on newspaper magic, it has been around for a long time and Mr. Anderson has made a reputation for himself with the material in his book.
Iven

Don't you just tape it after you roll it up?

I would have to agree with Ironsall regarding Gene Anderson. I had the opportunity to attend his lecture a few months ago and his newspaper tree expanded to aprox 10 ft high if memory serves me right. It was very visual and impressive. He's recognized as a master of newspaper magic.

I've also had the pleasure of attending Wayne Rodgers lecture, and he too is a wonderful creator of magic props. Comedy, I really liked your routine regarding what you came up with using his props. Very creative!

Chrystal

Orson Bean used the paper tree in his act. Basically it was a series of one liners, Henny Yooungman style, interspersed with a loud announcement of "Making a paper Eucalyptus tree!" between jokes. Emphasizing the word Eucalyptus made it funnier.

Thanks for the reminder.

This is one bit, that I have not used in a long, long time.

Sometimes I forget to K.I.S.S.(Keep it simple, sweety)

As I recall it always got a great response.

I have kept the newspaper tear, and somehow forgot other paper bits, such as square cut out leading to big round hole.

Harris

Hmmmmmm
K.I.S.S. isn't that(keep it simple stupid)teeheee

In Norman Hunters book Conjouring for Amateurs he instructs how to make a ladder from a roll of newspaper like you use in the paper tree effect. I woulnt use cello tape for fixing your sheets of paper together, as once the tree has been produced there will be shiny sections of tape visible in lighting, definitely go for paste or glue stick.

Here is a little gag of mine. loosely taped to the inner sheet of newspaper I have a little square of leopard skin fabric. this is tucked into the central cavity. as I pull the top of the tree to about eye level, I pull out the fabric and excalim 'Fir tree!'

Tom

Now that's funny, Tom! lol

- Donald.

Nice idea Tom. I guess you could also point out articles as you build the tree and read off funny ones to the audience as you go along. It might help in killing the dead time and get a few laughs along the way.

Kyle

Has anyone seen Karl Fulves book on Paper magic..there is something about a newspaper tree in there. I hav never done one, but the respone on this thread makes me feel as if I should try it out...