Dissonant indeed, but there's a reason. The pic below is the source of the black mark.

That stump is what's left of a 50 ft white pine that years before was our live Christmas tree. Ours sons, aged 9 and 5, if I remember correctly, planted it in the yard. The younger of the two died in his sleep 4+ years ago, aged 41, from a heart condition of which no one was aware. A couple of years ago the tree was toppled in a wind storm. We cleaned up the mess but just couldn't do away with that last vestige.

The black mark is part of the scene for sentimental reasons.

I agree with you that taking it out is the artistic thing to do. If I do hang it, the mark stays. If I should give a print to anyone, the mark goes, it's mine.

Thanks much for your comment. I'm pleased that you semi-liked the pic.

An unusual treatment, but not just an "any old filter" "expression." The visual thinking is powerful, your combination of filters excellent.

I disagree with those who don't like the tree line/shapes. That was one of the attention-grabbing areas of the piece. However, visual principles suggest there needs to be unity. Those shapes as they are, combined with the dark also on the left (were there an intermediate value, such as a top of a rock with the black the shaded side), AND a mid-sized dark on the right--these would make for an asymmetrically balanced composition.

I hope you share more of your work here.