Sometimes It just Doesn't Work

When I took this picture, I figured it would be "SOOOOO Cool". The detail of the tree trunk, the the depth of the tree behind, then the woods benind. I eagerly opened the file, and.....BLAH. It just didn't work. So I added additional blur, to try and accentuate the difference. Then I darkened the back tree, to try and accentuate the difference. Then I lightened the front tree (justa touch), etc, etc, etc. I'm still not happy with it. But life is full of shots that don't look as good as when you were standing there..... Nikon D70