Top 10 Greatest Trees in Pop Culture
#10: Banyan-Grove Tree
“Avatar: The Last Airbender” (2005-08) & “The Legend of Korra” (2012-14)
More than just the heart of the swamp it calls home, the banyan-grove tree is the swamp. It boasts a root structure spreading miles in every direction, connecting everything in the surrounding area. If that sounds like an elaborate analogy, that’s because it is! As Huu, the tree’s guardian, explains, the world is (metaphorically-speaking) one giant Banyan-Grove Tree. Infused with spirit energy, the Banyan-Grove Tree taught important lessons to both Aang and later Korra. Of course, it’s not the only significant tree in the franchise: “The Legend of Korra” also introduced the Tree of Time. Located in the spirit world, this ancient tree served as a prison for the spirit Vaatu.
#9: The Oak Tree
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“The Shawshank Redemption” (1994)
Our list is mostly populated by larger-than-life trees imbued with various special abilities. This, by contrast, is just your run-of-the-mill oak tree. Ouch. We forgot that trees don’t like the word “mill”. What we meant to say is that this is an ordinary tree in a very grounded film. And yet, within the context of the movie, this oak tree takes on incredible symbolic value. Since the film’s release, it’s been synonymous with hope and new beginnings. Sadly, after being damaged by lightning, ants and strong winds, the oak tree was finally felled in 2016 at an estimated age of 180 to 200 years. It lives on, however, as a powerful image from one of the greatest films ever made. Sorry, is that too… sappy?
#8: Great Deku Tree
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“The Legend of Zelda” franchise (1986-)
Trees are the unsung heroes of gaming. Too much? Okay, fine. But as Matt Elliott of PC Gamer argued in 2018, they’re actually a great metric for gauging the progress of video game design. And while they usually fade into the background as part of the environment, there’s one tree that has taken root in our hearts. And we’re here to say that the Great Deku Tree has consistently looked great, dating back to his first appearance in “Ocarina of Time” on N64. Seriously, with that bushy moustache, he’s like the Tom Selleck of trees. Okay, “Wind Waker” is an exception. More than just being the most poplar tree around, he’s played an important role in multiple instalments of this beloved franchise.
#7: The Weirwood
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“A Song of Ice and Fire” franchise (1996-)
Honestly, we wish these creepy trees would take a leaf from the page of the Deku Tree’s book. With their silver-white bark and ruby-red foliage, they’re actually beautiful when seen from afar. But when you get close and notice the carved facial features - and occasional blood-red sap tears - one gets a serious NO feeling. And don’t even get us started on the sinister root structure! Creepy though they might be, the Weirwoods are an important symbol in both “Game of Thrones” and its source material, A Song of Ice and Fire. They’re intimately tied with the religion of the old gods and are sacred to the Children of the Forest. Much mystery surrounds the weirwood trees, and that’s part of their appeal.
#6: Apple Trees
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“The Wizard of Oz” (1939)
We’re not sure about their bite, but these trees certainly aren’t shy about bark-ing at people. And they’ve got the limbs to back it up! When Dorothy plucks an apple from the orchard, these mouthy and remarkably able-bodied apple trees spring to life. The central tree quickly takes back his apple before slapping Dorothy’s hand reproachfully. It’s an honest mistake on Dorothy’s part, but they won’t let up. And when the scarecrow comes to her defense, these disgruntled fruit-bearers lunge at Dorothy, who narrowly escapes. Their screen time may have been short, but these apple trees became instant and enduring pop-lar culture figures. The lesson they teach is not one that viewers soon forget.
#5: Hometree, Tree of Souls & the Tree of Voices
“Avatar” (2009)
2009’s “Avatar” branched out and gave us not one, but three epic extraterrestrial trees. Hometrees or “Kelutral” are massive trees that the Na’vi often call home. As such, when the Omaticaya clan’s hometree falls, it’s a crushing blow. The Tree of Souls — which is seemingly one of a kind — is a spiritual site of unparalleled significance. It allows the Na’vi to connect directly with Eywa, the Pandoran deity, and one another. The Tree of Voices, which links the Omaticaya to their ancestors, is also pretty cool. Now, are there any “Fern Gully: The Last Rainforest” fans out there? Since many people have criticized the similarities between Avatar and this animated film, we also wanted to give a shout out to the tree that imprisons Hexxus.
#4: Grandmother Willow
“Pocahontas” (1995)
Sentient female trees are already a rarity, but even within this small demographic, there’s a huge range. Grandmother Willow and the busty tree from “The Last Unicorn” grew from very different seeds — so to speak. All things considered, we much prefer Grandmother Willow’s energy. This weeping willow and forest spirit provides our heroine with guidance throughout the film. Her leaves also serve as a marker of the seasons and, in a broader sense, symbolize change. We’re tempted to call her wise beyond her years, but she’s clearly ancient. And yet, despite her age, Grandmother Willow remains sharper than the thorns on a cockspur hawthorn, throwing SHADE whenever she can. Seriously, when it comes to tree-related puns, she buries us. A maternal figure, guide and amateur comedian, Grandmother Willow is one-of-a-kind.
#3: The Whomping Willow
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“Harry Potter” franchise (1997-)
The toughest tree to ever lay down roots at Hogwarts comes in at number tree. Nothing like a little wordplay to keep our subscribers engaged and enraged! While this tree looks like a weeping willow, any attempt to console it will earn you a beating. Willow trees actually have a history of bringing the pain. Their thin branches have long been used as switches for corporal punishment. The Whomping Willow however, prefers to clobber rather than whip. This is something that Harry, Ron and Hermione know all too well. The boys made the mistake of flying a Ford Anglia into the tree in their second year, and it went on to cause the trio a world of trouble in “Prisoner of Azkaban”. It’s a knotty tree, but it serves a purpose.
#2: Groot
Marvel Cinematic Universe (2008-)
Who could’ve predicted that a sentient extraterrestrial tree, only capable of saying its own name, would become such a universally loved character? Certainly not the people at Marvel Comics. In the source material, Groot had been a C-list character (at best) since his creation back in 1960. On-screen, however, Groot is a walking lesson in physical comedy and a testament to the fact that, sometimes, when it comes to dialogue, less is more. We fell in love with Groot the moment we met him, but his sacrifice in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1” solidified him as the team’s greatest hero. Since then, we’ve thankfully had the chance to spend time with baby Groot and teenage Groot, and our appreciation for the character has grown with him.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Forrest & Jenny’s Tree, “Forrest Gump” (1994)
This Massive Oak Tree is at the Heart of Their Relationship.
Charlie Brown's Christmas Tree, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” (1965)
This Sad Little Tree Leaves You Pine-ing for the True Meaning of Christmas
The Final Rocketship, “Saga” (2012-)
A Flying Tree That Serves as the Home of Our Heroes
Backyard Tree, “Poltergeist” (1982)
It’s Not Every Day that a Tree Gets to Be a Minor Antagonist!
Tree of Life, “The Fountain” (2006)
Whether You “Get” the Film or Not, This Tree Certainly Makes an Impression.
FAKEOUT #1: Killer Trees
“The Happening” (2008)
Just kidding! Sure, they were more interesting than the wooden performances, but that’s not saying much.
#1: Treebeard
“The Lord of Rings” trilogy (2001-03)
We’ve met many fine trees on this journey through the pop culture forest. But in the end, it’s the iconic, sentient tree from “The Lord of the Rings” that earns the honor of being our top “Ent-tree”. See what we did there? “Entry” … With all due respect to the White Tree of Gondor, this Ent is THE tree to beat in the works of Tolkien. Gandalf once described Treebeard as “the oldest living thing that still walks beneath the Sun upon this Middle-earth.” We call him the complete package: he’s wise, he’s kind, and with his incredibly slow speech, he’s unintentionally hilarious. But when he sees that destruction caused by Saruman, Treebeard rallies the Ents to save the day.
