how to create a tree trunk?

I'm sure this is a stupid question, but I'm very new at all this so ... Somebody please tell me how a 3D tree trunk can be made. I've already made a transparent texture of a Juniper, and that came out fine, but a Juniper doesn't have a visible trunk, so that one was not a problem. Now i want to make a tree that has a trunk. The leaf part can be made with intersecting transparent textures, I know, but how to make a trunk? -- possibly even a trunk that splits into two main branches. What tools would be used?

Can use cylinders, multiple, each tapered differently, then placed together in a way that simulates natural shapes, and possibly add spheres, and toruses as well to add to the natural-ness, or make a sculpty trunk, which is the most prim-efficient way, and can generally look much better if done correctly

i'v been looking at making a tree trunk as well but more focasing on a big root system so i can build a kind of house underneath (ala shrek's cabin) i found a good thing to do was go to the places that sell tree's in world and right click, edit, then click the button to edit linked parts so i can look at the different shapes seperatly and see how the masters do it

For non-sculpty roots, Toruses are your best friend. You can get the basic shape, then add some thineer ones to make it more natural looking. Any (good) tree will be a high prim count, however, unless sculpties are used

Go to my land (landmark in the sig) I have a Ranpur Lime tree there that I made. It is mod enabled so you should see how it is assembled.