See the new image in comparison to how we started out. The tree has changed drastically. I think it looks much older now and the crown and the strange roots make a lot of sense together. I also think that the stone slab was waiting for exactly this tree. The grass makes the whole scene quite realistic. This spruce may well have a splendid future.
This is not finished!! This is just a sketch. Now the tree will rest for the summer and we will see how it copes with the wire and new container. If it lookes very healthy this fall I might wire everything and finish it this year. Or I will do it next spring. It will look much nicer when everything is wired and the branches are placed, don't worry.