How to make hanging roots similar to those found in Fallout 4?

Oblivion2500

I'm using Unreal Engine 4, I'm trying to figure how to get started on making hanging roots that I can place around. Would it be just a plane with a texture of roots and tiny leaves? My biggest problem is how to make the texture. I can't find any photos of roots that would be easy to make it transparent? Can I just draw the roots in Photoshop and add some tiny leaves? I'm trying to make it realistic. Here's a photo of what I'm trying to achieve.
http://arnoldp.deviantart.com/art/Hanging-Roots-292017979

james01

Haven't played Fallout 4, but multiple planes stacked in a nice arrangement with a hand painted texture and alpha mask would probably be the way to go.