i'm not sure how they did it, but they had 2 huge palm trees that were so cool. they definitely used paper mache' on something (probably the tubes mentioned above) and then this was covered with brown fabric in strips going around the tree. the fabric has patterns on it, nothing insanely loud, but all different and so it was nicely done. also, the palm leaves were poster board painted green on one side, and then had patterned green fabric on the other side. then it was cut in palm leaf shapes. both trees looked so great.
i only met the man in charge once, and cannot recall his name (as his church was the secondary visit i was making) which is horrible, because it was so great to see how they have progressed and done SO much in 1 year. but the church number is 607 273 5971, and i am sure you can ask to speak to the person in charge with the children's programs.
he was very helpful and i need to find his name myself.
good luck! (hope we've been of some help!)
kate