Potential for greatness. My problem with it is that that there is not quite enough contrast between the tree and the rest of it. I would like to see the fore and backgrounds very high key.
I really like the composition on this one. I'd love to see this one in color since I suspect that I would like it a little better. But this is a great match to the challenge as is. 7
USM halo around the tree is distracting. Composition is nice, if rather unoriginal and uninspiring. I do think the BW processing works in this shot, though a stronger touch of contrast might have brought out the fence rails a bit more which would really work well here. Would also have darkened the shadow beneath the tree which wouldn't be a bad thing either. Good luck.
Good but not great. Hope i'm not being cynical but it seems you might have used b&w because the color version was flat. Nice composition. No way is it a 5, nor is a 7 for me, so: 6