[tvoelcker]

Nice shot.
I think the missing link has to do with the vantage point. Appears it was shot at eye level.
Get down low and capture some of the water or shore in the foreground and let it lead the eyes up to the roots. The eyes will eventually lead up to the right as it follows the roots and will then be lead out of the frame by the mountains in the background thus creating a nice flow all the way thru the scene.