Naturally, without the magical theory it likely seems mad. I suppose if you had transformed the substance it might seem a real, living and growing tree. Mine don't last long enough to tell before they change back. I could do it with practically anything, but the more qualities the original object has in common with your intended one, the better, so a wooden table would be easier.
I suppose that from the perspective of my distant descendants who are here, I have come back from the dead, after a fashion. But you are right, places like this are unpredictable and false hope is ultimately very painful. My father? He is the most influential man in all of Britain! He has a great deal of land to manage, and he sits on important committees and that sort of thing. He meets with Queen Victoria. His expectations for us are rather high, so when I tell most people about him, they think he is awfully strict and stern, but there is another side to him. Before we were old enough for school he'd make time to see us children every evening, no matter how busy he was, and he cares very much about being fair and encouraging and he always knows how to solve problems.
I don't always care for the friendly sorts. It is disconcerting when someone you have just met acts as if you've been pals since infancy. Are you quite alone here, yourself?