Tree Growth -- tree height will remain fairly constant unless an area is forested. Old trees die and new trees take their place. I doubt there is much difference in tree appearance over 53 years.
Backdrop / Portability -- This is only being built as a module to facilitate assembly... 7 turnouts on the bridge deck with switch machines underneath. It will be permanently placed into the layout. The goal is not to use it as a module for display here, there, and everywhere. With all the switch machines mounted on the underside, it would require quite a mounting to protect it... and it's already pretty heavy. The present backdrop was hashed together as a "proof of concept" and will be replaced this summer. I will invest more time in creating tight seams on the final product.
