Shane, I agree that 13 is underappreciated, but I don't agree that the ti-tree should have stayed.
While the hole is easier, I think its a better hole now. There is still incentive to drive close to the bunkers on the right hand side, as it leaves the front of the green open for the second shot (all but very elite players hit most of their second shots with a fairway wood). When the ti-tree was there, any tee shot hit down the left side which was remotely within range of the green could only be advanced 100m or so down the fairway. Not 'Commonwealth' at all.
With the ti-tree gone, a firm green surface is even more essential to defend the hole by penalising those coming from the bad angle. It would be ridiculously easy for good players hitting mid-irons into a soft green.
Have you ever thought about cutting a bunker into the top of the hill on the left (see aerial below)? Not necessarily advocating this, but it could restore some of the thought patterns for good players that disappeared when the trees went.