If you try to move a plant or light, it should give you a proper texture to indicate where it lands. I agree though, the hand symbol might not be very easy to work with. I'll see what I can do about it, for now if you place it and then right click > edit it will allow you to do specific placements (due to the cross hair icon)
Yes, you can see/change the position. My suggestion goes in the way to improve speed and accuracy. If I need to move objects or have a look at the value properties I am even slower than just imperfectly setting the objects immediately.
Another improvement (don't feel pushed. Just a suggestion to implement when time and your fun allow):
Do more quick icons to select the major combinations.
Not just trees but also conifer, bushes, palms or broadleaf directly.
Same with the houses: residential/gable, residential/flat, commercial/gable, commercial/flat and industrial/gable, industrial/flat.
I know I can change the definitions. But I like to switch between these basic types quickly.