Black and White Qualities

Composition: With the color gone from the image, the lines in the leaves are more pronounced. You can also notice the where the branches intersect rather than the color of the sky or the leaves.
Expression: theres no person to show emotion
Distracting colors: Instead of bright reds and blues, the photo is simplified by not having color. It helps you focus on the composition.
Texture: The texture of the leaves is more pronounced. You can see the little cracks between the veins of the leaf.
Shadows: Shadows under the veins of the leaves are way more prominent than they would be in color. It gives the leaves a more interesting look.
Contrast between subject and background: The background is mostly dark with the branches. This draws focus to the leaves, which have a lot of light shining through them.
High contrast light: The true whites in the sky and the light