In my opinion you shouldn’t ditch the rose…
A single rose that grows at the base of the tree could add a lot to the design and make it much more unique…
Or maybe put the rose in the mouth of one of the bird like she’s carrying it somewhere…
But it will demand a delicate and very complex work….

BTW,
the Jewish tree of life isn’t a real tree but a much more complex design that represent the ten spheres of the soul, or something like it, I never was strong at the kabala…
It looks something like this: http://z.about.com/d/altreligion/1/0/N/q/1/tol17.jpg

But I’m against religion in almost every single aspect of my life so I believe that an actual tree would do you better 😉

about the red/pink issue
i had the same problem and about a month after i’ve done my tattoo the pink did turned into deep red…
but you could always do a touch-up and repaint it with darker red if it doesn’t happen, the ink should be absorbed better at the second time….

and about the tattoo,
first i think it’s amazing, congrats 🙂

in my opinion you should defiantly fill the pool in shades of yellow or orange

and maybe add some more scales on the snake head…
it seems to my a bit too “smooth”
but it’s just my opinion

as i said
it’s some great tattoo you’ve got there 🙂