Russ,
I'm sorry but this really isn't simply a difference of opinions. Your lack of knowledge of excessive tree growth and the historic errors made by well meaning but ill informed greens committees just confirmed that for everyone here.
To answer one question you posed, most people here will tell you that Augusta is a pale imitation of what it once was. People here, though they still love the history of The Masters, tend not to get carried away with azaleas and bright green. Running brown fairways are more preferred by folk around here, which just happens to include some of the most sort after thinkers in modern architecture.
And to refer back to Faldo, had he been born 30 years later, he'd probably not be able to hit the thing far enough these days to compete at Augusta. Now, if a guy that was clearly a huge talent and long time world number one couldn't compete, do you really think everything is OK? And what about Ballesteros on the average PGA tour slog track, do you imagine his creativity would have shown through on tighter fairways and through wrist breaking rough?
Finally, have you read 'The Anatomy of a Golf Course' by Tom Doak? If not, can I suggest that you get off here post haste and straight onto Amazon to buy a copy. Read it during intervals during the US Open at the wonderfully restored Pinehurst No.2. You owe yourself that much.
PS: Ignore what he says about wavey fairways. They look awful and, for me, that's his only error!