Treebeard: the story on HearLore

Shepherds Of Trees

Ents were created in the Elder Days to be the Shepherds of the Trees. They protected trees from the anticipated destruction that Dwarves would cause. In The Lord of the Rings, Treebeard recounts how the Ents were awakened and taught to speak by the Elves. He says that only three Ents remain from the Elder Days: himself, Leaflock and Skinbark. He recalls when he could walk through the woods of Middle-earth for days. He sings a song about roaming the woods of Middle-earth, naming regions of Beleriand which were destroyed in the war with Morgoth. These regions now lie beneath the waves. There are valleys in Fangorn forest where the Great Darkness never lifted. The trees in these valleys are older than he is.

The Hobbit Encounter

In The Two Towers, Treebeard meets with Merry Brandybuck and Pippin Took, two Hobbits of the Shire. This meeting proves to have consequences that contribute significantly to the story. Treebeard learns that the hobbits think that Gandalf is dead, though apparently he knows otherwise. He takes them to a place called Wellinghall where the hobbits tell him their adventures. They speak of Saruman's treachery and his plans to become a Power. Treebeard replies that there is something very big going on that he can see. He comments that the hobbits seem to be caught up in a great storm. He muses that he must do something since Saruman never told him anything. He realizes that Saruman is plotting evil by taking up with Orcs. He wonders why there are so many Orcs in his woods and why they bear sunlight. He is angered by trees being felled to feed the fires of Orthanc.

Where is Treebeard's home located in the Misty Mountains?

Treebeard lives in Wellinghall, which is situated in the valley of Derndingle to the southwest. This location lies within Fangorn Forest at the southern end of the Misty Mountains.

When were Ents created and who awakened them to speak?

Ents were created in the Elder Days as Shepherds of the Trees by the Valar. The Elves later awakened the Ents and taught them to speak during that ancient period.

What happened when Treebeard led the Ents to Isengard?

The Ents diverted the river Isen to drown Saruman's ruined fortress and underground furnaces. They reduced the outer walls to rubble and left Saruman trapped in his tower surrounded by water and watchful Ents.

How did Tolkien derive the name Treebeard from Old English sources?

Tolkien borrowed the word Ent from the Old English ent or eoten meaning giant found in Anglo-Saxon poems like The Ruin and Maxims II. He used the phrase orthanc enta geweorc which translates to cunning work of giants to describe Roman ruins in Britain.

Who voiced Treebeard in Peter Jackson's films The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and The Return of the King?

John Rhys-Davies performed the voice for Treebeard in both The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and The Return of the King. His portrayal combined a large animatronic model with CGI constructs to create the character on screen.

Treebeard.

Shepherds Of Trees

The Hobbit Encounter

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Common questions

Where is Treebeard's home located in the Misty Mountains?

When were Ents created and who awakened them to speak?

What happened when Treebeard led the Ents to Isengard?

How did Tolkien derive the name Treebeard from Old English sources?

Who voiced Treebeard in Peter Jackson's films The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and The Return of the King?

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