I know the Blessings of Nature quest is bugged if you take the peaceful path where the old tree will still remain....

However, does the sapling eventually grow inside the tree to the point where it starts sticking out and pilgrims begin to show? Or, does no matter how many quests and days pass does the sapling just never grow at all?

Also, how BIG does the sapling ever get? Is it just always 1 size, or does it have growth stages?