Most of the trees are Speed Trees which change their leaves with the calendar.  I don't think the trees are dead, they're just in their winter dress without leaves.  Using Surveyor, click on the Main Menu box and select Edit Environment.  Then pick Location (World Globe icon) to get the Set Session Date calendar.  The left/right arrows by the month name lets you step thru the months.  No leaves Dec thru Feb, green leaves Mar thru Aug and fall colors Sept thru Nov.
 
Bob Weber