The tree trick is not that hard to do just save as you go, I have just done it to get my solo Warrior the four tombs so he got to be zenmaster. Just save a lot as you go incase you fall of a tree.
My new Zenmaster is now doing shurugeon castle, gonna see if I can get him over level 150 this time. Apart from using the trees as I have done to get a premature Zenmaster then there is no other use for doing this if you are playing the game straight just do the shrine.
Save the trees for fun in later games.
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......shake it baby.