Hi Jnifur,
I wonder if you can go back to that place again(if you want) where you shot the 1st pic. Or find something similar & try to shoot when there's early morning light(around 7-9am) or early evening light(around 4-6pm) which gives not only the gives the glow on the bark texture & it also make your pic looks 3 dimension.
Do take note that now a days is raining season, try it on some sunny days & hope you know what I mean. Cheers & happy shooting.