Mutual, Minister
You need to look a tree in the eye to gain a mutual respect for each other. Stand up straight, look the tree directly in its eye(s). If it looks right back, you know things are mutual.
It's the same with humans, you know? If you want to have a mutual relationship you need to be able to look each other in the eyes. If you're too embarrassed, or you look down on them, then that isn't mutual respect!
そう, しょう
あい
None
If your respect for the tree is mutual with the respect the tree feels for you, you'll be able to see the tree's soul (そう). Right now its soul looks pretty sad, like it's trying to say, "Why are your people cutting down all my friends? I thought we had a mutual understanding."
This is basically a FernGully moment, you know? You can feel the tree's pain like it's your pain. It's that kind of mutual sharing of souls you need.