In real scenario there's no need to protect the tree. the tie guy can simply enslave the other one. If he's got the lethal force, the tie guy can beat the shirt guy into any level of subjugation ie get virtually any slave service with no exchange whatsoever
Subsequently, there's no need for a stick, simply convincingly manifesting the control of situation could be function as an equivalent of lethal force. In short, conning people that you have power or having real power looks identical to subjects
In that case, mentality that you have no power over the situation, makes it real