It's a two step process Removing all the lower sections of the bark, and then returning once the tree has died to remove the rest of the bark (it's very hard to remove the upper sections of bark when the tree is alive, when it's dead it lets all it's bark go) I know it's not the nicest thing, but i honestly believe the tree acknowledges the significance of what it holds and under the right circumstances does not begrudge the taker. The right circumstances being the age of the tree (acacia obtusifolia usually live between 20-30 years, allowing one to mature and then doing it justice nearing the end of it's life is OK in my opinion - yes yes, the tree in the tek was young, we travelled far and found very few of this was the eldest), and the intentions of the taker. FYI i would absolutely NEVER sell spice, it's a gift from nature and i make it my mission to show as many people as possible I feel that if the death of a tree progresses into something so significant as 10 people opening their eyes for the first time, then the tree would be smiling. And not just that tree, in these areas where the trees go wild there is an enormous presence of energy, i feel this as the plant teachers energy. This is where the plant teacher resides and through it's trees it speaks, taking a is a very intimate interaction with the plant teacher, and to be honest it doesn't feel like a bad one) Also, obtusifolia is a weed in victoria, so.. (imo, this is no consolation to the killing of a tree, i'm just stating a fact) Fallen branches where possible, but a lot of the time this is not feasible Taking small amounts from more trees is not a good idea as removing any of the tree's trunk bark exposes it to disease and pest infestation etc.. you lower it's chances of survival, i think it's best to pick and choose and take the entire amount Plus we shall plant one for every one we take (this hasn't begun yet, but the efforts will be backdated)