In the same way, the tree was a symbol to test the first human couple's actions. The tree only represents the possibility that creatures made in God's image could refuse to obey him. The tree served as the concrete expression of that rebellion. A little knowledge of the Hebrew idiom will relieve the tension here as well. The final concern is over the definition of death.
Scripture refers to three different types of death.
Often only the context helps distinguish which is intended. In this case, spiritual death was the immediate outcome of disobedience demonstrated by a deliberate snatching of real fruit from a real tree in a real garden. But such separation and isolation from God eventually resulted in physical death as well. This, however, was more a byproduct than a direct result of their sin.