Rotate and resize your plane to make it fit in the small main camera view, as the picture shows :

Render your image in final mode and in the small main camera window. It should look like this :

Save your picture under "springleaf.bmp".

Quit Vue and go to your paint program.

Open springleaf.bmp

Create a mask around three branches and cut them, to keep only one.

Now create a mask around the leaves. When you have done so, paint it in black (the background has to be absolutely white)

Save your file under springleaftrans.bmp

Sure you are wondering why we don't create a color bitmap for the leaves also. We could, but I have tried it out and think, my easier method is much better for an early spring tree if it is not seen from too close up :

To be sure about the exact size, keep your image "springleaftrans.bmp" on your screen. As we will transform it, save it first for security as : "leafcolor.bmp". Then create a mask all around and cut every thing in the picture.

Paint the complete aerea in green or different shaded greens. Keep it very light. Have a look at real spring trees, the greens are a little yellow toned. You can mix several greens and do a gaussian action on it. Then save the picture again as "leafcolor.bmp"

NOW WHEN YOU OPEN VUE
and create a maple tree (or any other also :-)), you have to change the leaf material in the material summary. (If you don't know how to use the material summary, have a look at the previous tutorials)
Choose the green surface you have created as "springleaf.bmp" and use "springleaftrans.bmp" for the variable transparency. With a well choosen light you get effects of different greens in the leaves and your tree looks fresh and young.