Russ, I like the photo for the composition. I know some have mentioned that it doesn't work but I think it does- purely for the reason that I can't see a way of doing it otherwise here. The fallen tree on it's own doesn't say anything, it needs some sort of balance as provided by those growing around it. I wish the light was softer though.
Dave mentioned tripods; I fell in love with the Manfrotto 058B a few years ago, lent to me by my friend Harry. For work like this it would be perfect, you could mount a camera and a medium sized SUV on it and it wouldn't flinch. Pity it weighs as much as an SUV too.