Cutting a branch from a tree can be a little like going up to a stranger in the street and saying 'Excuse me do you mind if I shave you head'. Look for a tree that could use a little trim, over grown or dense canopy as it is more likely to be seen as a favor.
To get a feel for an answer from nature.
For this you will need a 'safe' wood or grove to be in and about fifteen or so ribbons in three colous (red, blue and green work for me)
1. Before hand meditate if safe to do so meditate in the wood.
2. Approach a tree and place your hand on the trunk at the same height as your heart and either ask out loud or think 'May I gather some wood from you' The first tree you find could give you a yes, no or just unclear. Note the feeling you get in the next thirty seconds from the tree you'll be VERY unlikely to hear a voice in your head saying yes or no but you should get a 'feeling' at this point it doesn't matter if you know it is a yes or no but mark the tree with a green ribbon.
3. Move to another tree and do the same making sure your hand is at the same height if the feeling you get is:
More positive mark it with a blue ribbon.
If the same a green
Less a red.
4. If you find you have only used green and red the first green and all other greens are your yes answer and reds are a no.
5. If you find you have only used blue and green then blue is your yes and green is your no.
6. If you have used all three colours blue is your yes answer, green you are not sure or unable to get a clear answer and
red a no.
7. If you find you only used green colour ribbons start over and meditate again, you are very unlikely to find a whole forest of trees giving the same answer.
keep an open mind as you go to cut and keep asking the question it will become very clear if the tree wants you to continue I've not known a tree to change its answer but you never know.
It is a long winded process but like anything it is best not rushed it will give you a good idea on the feeling and energy you get from nature and with time you will come to know by heart the different answers.
