@nitram: 1. study diferent kinds of trees, you'll be surprised how many trees in real life have "small" trunks
also remember that the trees trunk doesn't have to be 'big' or 'long' enough to support a massive crown, since the tree gets the majority of its support from its roots anyway.
and this is ANYTHING but ugly
If you placed those leaves pixel by pixel you've got FAR more patience than I do!
The trunk area looks a little jagged ... but other than that I think it looks rather tree-like!
I basically... fell out of my chair and pissed my pants this is so good. LOOOOVVVEEEE THE SHADOW.... LOVE LOVE..extreme, moooreee treessss