I've been using those bottle-brush trees for that...you can slather those with Mod-Podge and douse them with glitter pretty easily and they look like something period correct. The trees you're making appear way too delicate for that.
At some point, I want to try my hand again at loofah/luffa trees. I've attempted it a number of times without much success. It is one of the materials that Lionel used when making the prewar scenic plots. There used to be a woman at out local farm market that grew and sold the stuff, but she no longer has a booth. Someone suggested the cosmetic stores like Ulta might carry it, but Lord, you'd have to chuck your man-card for sure going in there
