I am making a graveyard cake and I am having trouble figuring out the tree. I want a spooky type of tree, 3-D. I modeled brown fondant around a dowel , but I can't figure out how to do all the small twig-like branches. I can't model all that from 1 chunk of fondant. I seperately made some smaller branches to attcah later with R.I but I don't think it will turn out right. Any help?
I would take some florist wire, tie it to ur dowel and then form the branches out of that. Cover it with a thin fondant sausage. The thicker ur wire the sturdier the branches will be.
I have made trees for a couple of different cakes that I have done. I realize they are not edible but they add what it is that I want to the look of the cake. I wrap florist wire with brown floral tape and attach small fondant leaves to the branches. They are quick to make and easy.
The grape stem idea is great! I would be perfect for that twisty spooky look! 
If it is not to be eaten you can break off a small tree branch with little stems or twigs, dip or paint it with melted chocolate. The chocolate on the branch itself will seal off the twig and make it safe to insert into a straw into the cake. Here is one I did at Christmas, I then coated it with cooked sugar syrup. I also sprinkled the branches with powdered sugar and super pearl luster dust for a look of snow and ice
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