Tree studies

OK, I practice line quality half an hour each day, then I try to render a tree in tone scale and all turns to chicken-scratch!
This has to end!
Some ideas so far:
-You use ink! Don't try to draw the light parts, focus on the shadows!
-Leaves are not objects, they are texture!
-This IS a hard topic. Find a comfortable seat, and prepare to get frustrated fast, often and a lot. Watch your mood!
-Just brute-forcing all details in is not an option! These things are fractals, plan a level of abstraction.
-Also, fractals don't provide perspective well. Include some non-tree things for a sense of scale and depth.
-branches show in the gaps. they are often in the center of the tree, i.e. the shadowy parts. Also, "windows" to the background often appear close to them.