As I understand it, FAF was changed to make trees visible from more distance when you zoom out
And it is possible to tell the difference between broken and unbroken tree groups, because unbroken tree groups are darker
But I got to thinking . . .
Why not make it so that unbroken tree groups are visible from a greater distance than broken trees
When you are zoomed all the way in, you see both (groups and broken trees)
When you are zoomed all the way out, you see neither
But for some "sweet spot" distance--maybe only 1 or 2 "clicks" of the mouse wheel--the broken trees disappear and the tree groups remain.
The biggest problem I anticipate is: enemy players could look at the map and have an even easier time of seeing when tree groups were being reclaimed or broken by units. That's already a problem but this would make the problem worse. It would be much easier to spot tree groups being broken.
The benefits: for people who know what tree groups are, it will be easier to try to scoop them, or avoid breaking them. And for people who DON'T know tree groups, this will make it easier for them to learn about the existence of tree groups. If you want someone to notice something, make it noticeable.