one way i read the rules is that they are a sure way for anyone, layman alike to make a miniture tree, with minimal visual issues, but...
the precise moment of when not to use the rule is, when your understanding of the message you want to convey in the tree reaches a point where you know that if you correct the "problem", you lose the sense of that particular moment you are trying to get across.
the trees in question are not "wrong", nor are the "rules", they both are easthetically pleasing to my eye, and i am not drawn negatively in any way toward the "problems"
like i have said before, if you can change a problem into a feature, you have another feature, and you have a much better chance at achieving a sweeter tree as a whole and there will be less or no problems.
that again depends on your artistic ability and the material you have to work with.
