Who makes it them? Safari Ltd as part of the Trees Toob® (yes, Safari has registered that as a trademarked term…). The number is 684304. I am including both versions (and copies thereof) because they’re trees, there’s only so much to say.
When did it come out? The toob was first available in 2009.
Still available? And it’s still available now. Unlike some of the sets that have been around for a while, I don’t think there has been much change.
Where can they be found in my displays? They aren’t. They are either stored or used in various scenes by the kids. Or me.
How does it fit in the collection? Well, I have lots of Safari models including toobs. And it is nice to have some scenery pieces. But they are kind of random.
Any story behind it? The first set I got, it was to supplement my son’s small animal play time. I later obtained other sets and I don’t even recall how or when. But I have three of each!
Notable remarks about this figure (a review that isn’t really a review): Well, as a tree it is definitely a tree. Looking closely though, they definitely lack in definition–the distinctive maple leafs are rendered as thick, rough bulbs. And the monochrome doesn’t help since trees are usually more patchy. And the trunks are pretty generic. But, they work as trees, surrounding other figures or giving some background to them. The more you add, the better it looks. These are small models, too, about 7.5 cm so they’re really only to scale with the smallest figures (assuming the bigger Acer species–like many toob figures, Safari doesn’t specify the species, but they’re probably meant to represent the larger species that can reach over 20 metres in height).
Would I recommend it? If you have very small figures and need backgrounds? Sure. Overall it’s a good set. But, again, to really make it work you’d need several of them in order to get a good stand of the same species (or a proper looking mix). On the other hand, trees (and plants in general) are not usually made as figures, so it does give them a unique quality in a collection.
And again, HAPPY CANADA DAY! (sorry)
