Some of the ones Dave has used on here
http://www.freewebs.com/buckler/
Are mine, and some are from Hart of the South
My homemade ones are made from fairly straight twigs from dogwood (or similar) with paper strip cut with pinking shears wrapped around them, and glued on with white glue, notches upward. Use a sharp pointed craft knife and pull the notches away from the trunk to raise them and brush white glue over it and leave 24 hrs to set, then paint. Glue lengths of brown garden twine, combed out into strands, vertically around the top to make the "beard". My fronds were made from artificial foliage plants, glued to green florists wire and inserted into holes drilled into the top of the trunks. Curve them to suitable shape when they are dry by bending between your fingers. Lots of " plastic foliage plants" as basis for fronds available for aquarium shops. Look at pictures and remember that a lot are much taller than you think! Paint with shades of Acrylic, top ones (new growth) are lighter, middle are darker and start to develop yellowing edges, and lower ones start to turn beige-brown before they drop off, lowest will hang almost against the trunk and be almost all beige. Remember they will not be too close to buildings as they harbour vermin such as rats and roaches.
Some more photos are here
http://ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/small-layout-design/photos/browse/c75a but you may need to join to see them. HIH
Shortliner(Jack)away up here in the Highlands