No I gathered it like 50% of the time I saw it. I gathered like 30 till I stopped bothering, since I thought the game would require just a few from me.
Again, there is no reason for me to assume I will need so many or that the game will not provide an easier solution, as it always has.
I am sorry, but it is badly designed. It is the only resource that stands out. Without any reason because it is such a common thing.
Elderwood you need 20 for the ritual and 5 for the bow. So yeah, no problem.
Just let me cheat it out at worst.