That appears to be a very interesting area to photograph, but also very challenging. The shapes of the trees are quite interesting and, as you say, they suggest a strong emotional content. To be successful, I think the image will need a unifying theme or element to bring some sense of visual order out of all the confusing shapes.
As you suggest, one possibility would be to try photographing the scene when there is some strong side light, such as early morning, so that there are some repeated shadows to create a unifying pattern.
Also, you might try looking for repeated shapes in the trees to set up a visual pattern or progression. Then you will need to try to work with camera placement, angle of view and depth of field to emphasize the trees/shapes that are your subject. For example, there are three trees near the center of your image that look very twisted. Could you stand somewhere so that all three appear close together in the viewfinder and you see their similar shapes right next to each other?
I think you could try leaving out most of the foreground except as is necessary to get the trees into the frame. The shapes of the trees are what looks interesting (at least in the shot you posted) and the foreground doesn't seem to add much.
A wider angle lens would allow you to fit an entire tree from the foreground into the frame and would also allow you to reduce the apparent scale of the trees that are more distant so that there is a clear difference between the trees that are your subject and those that are in the background. Alternatively, you could try a narrower angle of view to isolate just a few trees or parts of trees, again with the idea of emphasizing those that exhibit a strong pattern or similarity.
Have fun. It looks like an interesting subject.