i like the idea of the old tree. i think your composition only went half way. i could see things working if you juxaposed it against those brand new homes as a way of showing it wouldn't go away or showing it alone with the other old building, but not doing both.
The focus of this image seems to be the little shack appart from the others. If that is the case I would have cropped the image just above the other houses and gotten rid of the large about of sky. The tree against the sky is the planned focus of the image then having the rest of the leaves would have helped. Also the front of the shack is in shadow, and from the tree's shadow a few minutes earlier or later it would have had more light. might have helped the bring out the interesting texture of the shack. - 6
The lighting is a tad harsh. I wish the other newer homes weren't in the background, but I guess that's the whole point. Hmmm Maybe they are a bit too distracting for my taste.