diff --git a/src/entities/tasks/executor.rs b/src/entities/tasks/executor.rs
index b10da3d..725d65c 100644
--- a/src/entities/tasks/executor.rs
+++ b/src/entities/tasks/executor.rs
@@ -146,11 +146,24 @@ pub fn task_executor_system(
                                 continue;
                             }
                             if ambulatory.target.is_none() {
-                                // Find the actual walkable surface above the floor at the trunk's XY.
-                                // Scan for a floor tile, then return the z of the tile above it + 1.0
-                                // (same pattern as spawn_log_cargo's find_surface_at).
                                 use crate::constants::ITILE_SIZE;
-                                let target_z = (-3i32..=4i32)
+
+                                // The trunk tile itself is impassable (can_stand_in=false).
+                                // Path to the nearest standable tile adjacent to the trunk instead.
+                                // Check 8 surrounding XY positions at the trunk's ground z.
+                                let offsets = [
+                                    (-1, 0),
+                                    (1, 0),
+                                    (0, -1),
+                                    (0, 1),
+                                    (-1, -1),
+                                    (-1, 1),
+                                    (1, -1),
+                                    (1, 1),
+                                ];
+
+                                // First find the ground z at the trunk XY (for z reference)
+                                let ground_z = (-3i32..=4i32)
                                     .find_map(|z| {
                                         let floor_pos =
                                             IVec3::new(trunk_pos.x, trunk_pos.y, z * ITILE_SIZE);
@@ -161,19 +174,47 @@ pub fn task_executor_system(
                                                 floor_pos.z + ITILE_SIZE,
                                             );
                                             if tilemap_mut.is_standable(above) {
-                                                return Some(above.z as f32 + 1.0);
+                                                return Some(above.z);
                                             }
                                         }
                                         None
                                     })
-                                    .unwrap_or(trunk_pos.z as f32 + 1.0);
+                                    .unwrap_or(trunk_pos.z);
 
-                                ambulatory.target = Some(Vec3::new(
-                                    trunk_pos.x as f32,
-                                    trunk_pos.y as f32,
-                                    target_z,
-                                ));
-                                ambulatory.current_path = None;
+                                // Find nearest standable neighbour to path toward
+                                let approach_target = offsets.iter().find_map(|(dx, dy)| {
+                                    let candidate = IVec3::new(
+                                        trunk_pos.x + dx * ITILE_SIZE,
+                                        trunk_pos.y + dy * ITILE_SIZE,
+                                        ground_z,
+                                    );
+                                    if tilemap_mut.is_standable(candidate) {
+                                        Some(Vec3::new(
+                                            candidate.x as f32,
+                                            candidate.y as f32,
+                                            candidate.z as f32 + 1.0,
+                                        ))
+                                    } else {
+                                        None
+                                    }
+                                });
+
+                                match approach_target {
+                                    Some(target) => {
+                                        ambulatory.target = Some(target);
+                                        ambulatory.current_path = None;
+                                    }
+                                    None => {
+                                        // No adjacent standable tile — tree may be surrounded
+                                        failed_writer.write(TaskFailed {
+                                            entity,
+                                            task: current_task.clone(),
+                                            reason: "no adjacent standable tile to approach tree",
+                                        });
+                                        *state = TaskState::Failed;
+                                        continue;
+                                    }
+                                }
                             }
                             let dx = transform.translation.x - trunk_pos.x as f32;
                             let dy = transform.translation.y - trunk_pos.y as f32;