The reason I gathered the firewood first and covered it was so (hopefully) it would remain dry. If that were not possible, or if the wood on the ground were already soaked, I would strip the dead branches off the bases of trees. Those would be dry enough to ignite with my PSK tinder.

For my shelter I would take an 8'-10' dead pine and lash it with paracord into the crotch of another tree 2' or so off the ground. I would then stack smaller dead branches perpendicular (is that the right word?) all along both sides of my ridgepole, lashing a few of them, particularly if it is windy. I would then finish off with green pine boughs. Some pine boughs for a mattress would finish it off. Sounds comfy--now I need a nap. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Some other things to consider. If your shelter is big enough to sit up in it's probably too big. Watch out for "Widowmakers", and stay away from tall trees if you are expecting lightning.