So what does it mean when you have LOD trees that remain the same as you approach them - they stay flat. It's probably a silly user error I'm just not sure what.

See image.

http://imageshack.com/a/img540/2017/gmeATM.jpg

The FormIDs of tree references are stored in Trees LOD files (*.btt), a "flat" tree means one of the followng

1) Reference REFR record doesn't exist

2) TREE record of that reference doesn't exist

3) Model of TREE record doesn't exist

Just rebuild the LOD with TES5LODGen and make sure that all modes are there (use Assets Manager script in TES5Edit).

You sent me down the right track to see I had missing billboards. Thanks much!