nope, it was forbidden
just sayin'
True, the tree of life was withheld (for- bitten as you say) as a means of allowing mankind to go through the experience.
The trees are just a metaphor of knowledge given and knowledge withheld.
The tree of life, is knowledge of God via His Son reintroduced at a specific time in human history not excluding all those who lived and died before His arrival.
The new creation of the spiritual nature was the door opening up for all of us to be able to live on after this life.
If we were born in a time where the knowledge of the tree of life was available, we are blessed to receive it, while we are yet in the flesh to reap it's benefits.
Because evil is an inherent potential in all of us, the opportunity to exercise it is obvious in the confusion that has become a religion.
Mankind is such that some accountability is required in some in order for the some to remain strait (Good folk) and therefore some religious organizations require their flocks to toe the line.
That is why in some religions one will find differences that help keep the sheep in line.
For others like some of us, are faith is deeper and stronger allowing us to stand firm and not be swayed by every wind of doctrine.
Blessings, AJ