Yes, there can be strange paradoxes, like not blocking a blow 5' away because the ally wasn't adjacent, but blocking a blow X' away because the ally was, where X can literally be any number. So yeah, it can tax verisimilitude, and one must set aside physics and reconsider how the protector tree operates, which must be magically in some way, like there's some kind of symbiosis that lets the tree absorb the damage that it can't reasonably reach. There's some sort of metaphysics at play beyond merely blocking, like the branches run along the ally's flesh to reach the Strike (but not other attacks that look just like a Strike). So yeah, it's a bit nonsensical for a tree that doesn't even impede movement to stretch so far, but it's clear that the tree does operate this way.
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Think of a tic-tac-toe board. You put the Protector Tree on the center square. It will protect any ally in any of the eight surrounding squares (like a 5' emanation). Regardless of their size.
Note that the Tree protects on a first come, first served basis. It will adsorb 9 hp of damage to an allied fighter with 20 hp, rather than reserve itself for the 18hp crit that happens next on the 16 hp allied sorcerer. if it's only a 10 hp tree, oh well...
It does potentially lead to some weirdness, but since most thinks the players will be working with won't be more than large size, it doesn't get too crazy looking. There are definitely options that can make it look worse, and it gets really weird if you think about anything that could possibly be an ally...but hey. The alternative is you talk about using reach to block attacks from an enemy at a specific distance....and that's honestly probably much worse (for how it benefits allies).
Yes!
The main advantage/disadvantage of the tree is that it takes everyone damage and it is easy to destroy.
As GM the easiest way to destroy the trees that I used was to make the enemies to use AoE, multitarget and MAP attacks in the tree. This keeps the tree useful but not OP because it is pretty easy to critical hit the tree even with a MAP-10 at higher levels. Yet, the tree protects the characters from the highest hits (specially critical) and consume some 2nd and 3rd enemies' actions, but it is destroyed in 2-3 hits.
Also, the tree incentives the players to become closer, what makes some enemies' AoE effects pretty effective.
So it is pretty interesting and curious how the tree function different from white root in practice.
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I agree with YuriP. It's usefullness varies depending on the type and number of opponents. The smaller the number of foes & more they rely on melee the more likely you are to want a Timber Sentinel.
Note that Safe Elements opens up a lot of options for blasting large areas/damaging multiple foes, which competes with the wooden damage sponge.