Phaelia over at Resto4Life has a post up (link) that summarily explains why utilizing the Tree of Life form is a no-brainer. Honestly, I would never recommend being a restoration druid without taking the Improved Tree of Life talents either, but I’m setting my opinion aside for a moment to address healing without the “wilted broccoli” look:

It is possible, albeit much more difficult, to be an effective healer without using the Tree of Life form.

Section One: Talent Build – HoT Based Healing Wowhead Link (28/0/43) – HT Based Healing Wowhead Link (28/0/43)

These talents are not optional for healing without Tree of LIfe form (the other talents in the build above may be applied differently if one is so inclined):

• (5/5) Genesis
• (3/3) Moonglow
• (2/2) Nature’s Majesty
• (1/1) Nature’s Splendor
• (3/3) Lunar Guidance
• (3/3) Dreamstate
• (5/5) Naturalist
• (3/3) Intensity
• (1/1) Omen of Clarity
• (5/5) Tranquil Spirit
• (3/3) Improved Rejuvenation
• (1/1) Nature’s Swiftness
• (5/5) Gift of Nature
• (5/5) Improved Regrowth
• (3/3) Living Spirit
• (1/1) Swiftmend
• (5/5) Empowered Rejuvenation

In looking over these talents two primary themes should be quite evident: mana conservation and increased healing power. Without the reduction in healing cost provided by the Tree of Life form mana conservation will be much more important, just as the lack of the increase in healing power from spirit means increasing spell power through gear, gem, and enchant choices will be a very close second.

The only difference in the two builds above is the migration of two points from Empowered Rejuvenation to Empowered Touch in order to boost the healing of Healing Touch by an additional forty percent.

Section Two: Overall Healing Approach

Aside from the lack of any AoE healing (Tranquility is a great spell, but it is not going to be able to fill the hole Wild Growth fills. With this build / style go ahead and accept that there is no AoE Healing potential), the approach is basically the same as any other resto druid. The main differences lie in the need to really, really be mindful of mana consumption and regeneration and the need to really stack as much intellect and spirit as possible to boost mana regeneration and spell power.

Emphasis: I do not, in any way, recommend this build for raiding. Repeat, I do not recommend this build for raiding. Ever. Under any circumstances.

Keep the above statement in mind now, as the following is pretty much contradictory: this could be a viable build for all of the current content in the hands of a capable player.

Leveraging a combination of increased mana regeneration from Living Spirit + Dreamstate, reducing mana cost of as many heals as possible through talents, and increasing spell power with Lunar Guidance actually makes a solid combination for healing. This becomes even more pronounced as gear levels change, and allows quite a bit of flexibility in gem and enchant choices as one becomes more comfortable healing in this manner.

Section Three: Miscellaneous Notes

• I highly recommend Tree of Life + (3/3) Improved Tree of Life if you want to play a restoration druid.
• With enough spell power and mana regeneration any talent spec can work, technically. Just because it can work does not mean it should be done. Remember that there is a reason one typically sees restoration druids in tree form.
• Using the above talent specs, you could heal any heroic currently in the game in caster form as long as the tank is adequately geared and can keep you from being one- or two-shot.
• One of the main concerns with attempting this scenario is survivability. There is a very good reason why Improved Tree of LIfe grants an armor bonus also.
• Did I happen to mention I highly recommend Tree of Life + (3/3) Improved Tree of Life if you want to play a restoration druid.

Conclusion

Yes, healing without tree form is possible. Yes, a person can be effective without tree form. It is not, however, the most efficient or most effective method of healing as a druid, and certainly not something I would recommend.