Quote - I agree that the colors of the default tree shaders are way over-saturated and bright. Bryce is the same way. They end up looking like toy train set (not model railroad) trees.
A good starting point for more realistic trees would be to grab Patrick210's tree shader from either digitalpainters.net, or from polyloop,net  It's a freebie layered shader and makes good use of translucency for realistic backlighting. You could also grab HowieFarkes's terrific free snow scene from the Carrara freebie forum at DAZ. It includes his great snow-covered trees and is quite instructive if you analyze the plant editor and material settings he used to achieve his effects.

Odd that you mention Howie Farkes.  While half awake this morning I was thinking that it must be really difficult to make a tree with snow and remembered Howie's Daz competition wining picture.

I was also wondering if anyone like  Howie had made a new set of trees.  It seems the sensible thing to do. 

Thanks to both of you I will check out your recommendations.  
Keith