User blog comment:Miskos3/Fairy Tail 521: The Strongest Wizard, Review/@comment-5894890-20170212010455/@comment-1776824-20170214011727

It basically was stated. Zera said that Gajeel lived specifically because Tenrou Island had been merged with the mainland. The tree also doesn't really give increased stats, just "protection." It prevents Fairy Tail members from running shy on Magic Power, and gives them the ability to continue fighting on, courtesy of the bonds they share. Which, if you combine all the events since U1 and people being superbly wounded but winning, or suffering severe injuries and for the most part fully healing...it really does fit.