The leaves couldn't be exported.
You switched quite fast. What Are you using the m3 script or sc2 art tools? The m3 script might be the only solution you got for max 2014, The art tools only work with max 2011 (Yeah I know that is stupid) but you can do stuff at a pro level that the m3 script is not capable of and never will be. You got a lot to learn, you will probably have to study about modeling and materials on sc2 alot to get a better understanding of the engine.
Optimization, texture exporting, collision shapes, shadows, etc, I can teach you about all of that. Btw there is a physics engine in sc2, you can do that with no sweat.
I think you will love the cutscene editor alot, making cinematics is at another level completely, didn't get to try it ou actually.