yausd

Don't put yourself through the pain of using CK for this. There are alternatives like TES5LODGen (a LOD generator build into xEdit) and Oscape. However, you can now also use xLODGen beta to easily generate terrain LOD. You may have to create the *.lod file in data\lodsettings with https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/10896/ for things to work either way.

You could change the brightness of the tree LOD texture atlas in Data\textures\terrain\[worldspace]\trees\[worldspace]treelod.dds directly. Though easier and better results are achieved by using SSELODGen (get the latest beta version which also includes terrain LOD generation) to generate CK like LODs. It has a drop down to change the brightness of the tree LOD atlas it generates. Typically, mod users use DynDOLOD (an improved version of SSELODGen/TES5LODGen) to generate drastically improved tree and object LODs for the load order. Generating CK LODs or drastically improved LODs for the load order is easy AF since these tools were related a few years ago.

DynDOLOD is a tool that generates tree and improved object LOD. You will need to use a terrain LOD mod or generate terrain LOD with Oscape for improved distant terrain, e.g. the ground. DynDOLOD/TES5LODGen requires 3rd party LOD tree billboards. Get Indistinguishable Vanilla Tree Billboards and then the billboards for the tree mods you are using.

DynDOLOD is a tool that generates tree and object LOD. You will need to use a terrain LOD mod or generate terrain LOD with Oscape for improved distant terrain.

Sreenshot from OP https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B083GAmTxKNDa3ZDb2ZIX2pGZDg and the one you linked show vanilla Skyrim distance view. This is how shitty the game looks by default. Type tll in console. What you see now are the loaded cells. The uGrids, by default 5x5 cells. Beyond that is the LOD area where there can only tree, object and terrain LOD. While also full models can be put into that area, it needs to be done sparingly with performance in mind. Use DynDOLOD to generate improved tree and static LOD + dynamic LOD like waterfalls, windmills fans, water wheels, fires etc. for your load order. Use a terrain LOD mod like Skyrim High Definition LODs or High Quality LODs or HD Detailed Terrain - or use Oscape to generate terrain LOD meshes/textures which are the landscape parts between the trees/objects.

DynDOLOD is not taxing. DynDOLOD is a patcher that generates LOD based on your selections and settings. If the game runs worse after using it you are doing it wrong. Instead of and replacing it with something as broken and outdated like SDO you should read the DynDOLOD manual. It explains in great detail how to generate customized LOD suitable to your setup including a section full of performance tips.

In 2016 pro modders simply generate LOD for their load order with tools like TES5LODGen or DynDOLO Wrong tree LOD texture atlas for the installed tree LOD. Just generate tree LOD with TES5LODGen or DynDOLO