I really would like to have seen more detail in the bark of the tree. Bristlecone Pine have some very detailed bark patterns and due to the tone of the trunk most of that detail is missing.
I think Fotabug says it well here, and for what it's worth, I too think that high contrast images are an expression of the photographer. I have to temper my notions of what makes a good photo. I used to weigh everything I do as well as other's work against the analog medium but a friend reminded me that shooting digital is a completely different way of looking at things compared to film.
Nonetheless, I like the composition and especially the viewing angle...gives a good sense of the size of the tree. Bristlecone Pine?
Neat tree, I think I might prefer a little more contrast with dark tones. But a image is an artist's expression, so it's more than just an image, not my expression but yours.
