Problems with importing static meshes with "high" polycount (500K) , need help!

Spliting up the tree and unchecking the collision calculation are good ideas.
If i split up the tree in a group of models, how can i make sure the objects in the group maintain their correct distance to each other while i import them one by one.
Can i import them as group, i dont want to play lego with all the branches …

And what about the fileformat, is there any difference between .obj and.fbx anymore in terms of importspeed and usability ?