It goes both ways, real teachers are students for life and learn from those they teach.

The tree of life & Yggdrasil (the world tree), very similar.
You mentioned 9 branches and I mentioned the world tree in response, well that is because of the 9 realms/worlds.

[link to en.wikipedia.org (secure)]

"Yggdrasill, Old Norse Mimameidr, in Norse mythology, the world tree, a giant ash supporting the universe. One of its roots extended into Niflheim, the underworld; another into Jötunheim, land of the giants; and the third into Asgard, home of the gods." - Britannica

Now getting a bit scientific on the whole thing, I've tinkered with a 3dimensional golden ratio. Three of the same spiral pattern in 3 different directions as 'the universe'. A 2 dimensional version of this is the symbol of a certain browser icon with a blue dot at the middle.

Also consider the idea that the tree as the universe is a holographic fractal, ever expanding. This is an excellent explanation why Odin has been said to have stated, regarding the top of it: 'no man can ever reach'.

All that said, there is also Alfheim, which sits higher than Asgard. I have related Alf AEther, Alfather, Our Father to this. It is a place of 'The Elves', which when you follow this information you find are very much like Angels. For the record, it was Freyr - the male of the divine twins who was given Alfheim as a tooth gift.
Children of Njord, which is also the line of Mannaz, progenitor - so say the stories - of Mankind.
Son of Man ;) We'll get to that rune in a few weeks lol.