Yeah odd title, but sort of sum's up a common situation - steep hillside between track levels that gotta be tree covered (typical Appalachia) and a foot or so from the edge of the layout. Compounding the situation the time period is early fall. In any event tried a few typical things first:
After looking over some regional photos, tried something different. I had on hand a WS fall tree canopy kit ( I think the trees are yarrow) and started to experiment. I broke off the branches and after either spraying with clear matte finish or dipping in the supplied dilute matte medium, sprinkled green foam on the underside for shadow and sprinkled on the fall color foam to make the 'tree'. Poked a hole and glued the resulting tree in place. Repeated this process as needed to cover the area. I found that each 'tree' in the kit yielded 4-6 tree tops.
Also, borrowed an idea from Joe Fugate and stuffed poly fiber between the trees for more shadowing.
I must warn the method is time consuming, but appears to be effective. The two photos below are proof of the pudiing so to speak.
Charles