Interestingly, I prefer the colour version. It seems a bit more contrasty to me. Allows me to take in more of the trunk detail somehow.

What I see is a battle t grow and surice in adverse growing conditions.

In trying to gain a secure roothold on this hill, the trunks and branches seem to be twisted around against that strong downward pull. fighting amongst themselves for light. Perhaps, as trees might do, reaching out to one another for support against that constant pull at the roots, in the instability of a hillside. Always a challenge.

I really like the image.