I use a top dressing of long fiber sphagnum moss to prevent small soil particles from sticking to the frogs. I have not used leaf litter with tree frogs but I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work except that it may offer too many hiding spots for feeder insects.
He will probably become bolder as he settles in to his new home, my red eyes do not seem to be bothered by my presence and I have several well established males who consistently wake up and start calling about 30 minutes before the lights go out.
