The 30+ Best Treebeard Quotes & Lines from Lord of the Rings

by

*FYI - this post may affiliate links, which means we earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase from them. Also, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For the full scoop on what this means, feel free to check out our Privacy Policy and Disclosure.

Treebeard is an interesting character in the Lord of the Rings, but a rather mysterious one.

We know he is an Ent, also known as a tree-shepherd or tree-herder, and that he is very old. But for more info on the walking tree you will need to read the books very closely as he only appeared shortly in the film versions.

However, he still managed to make an impression – it’s not every day you see a talking tree start walking around! We love Treebeard, so we’ve rounded up all his best lines here today, so you can also enjoy reading the wisdom of the Ents.

Want more Lord of the Rings quotes? Check these out:

The Most Iconic and Well-Known Treebeard Quotes

Most of Treebeard’s interactions in the films are with Merry and Pippin, so it’s not surprising that his most well-known quotes come from talking to the two hobbits – especially when he calls them ‘little orcs’, which we low-key kinda love!

via GIPHY

“Treebeard: Little orcs! Grruhhm.
Pippin: It’s talking, Merry. The tree is talking.
Treebeard: Tree?! I am no tree! I am an Ent.” The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

“Treebeard: Treebeard, some call me.
Pippin: And whose side are you on?
Treebeard: Side? I am on nobody’s side, because nobody is on my side, little Orc.” The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

“Hroom, hm, come, my friends. The Ents are going to war. It is likely that we go to our doom. The last march of the Ents.” The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Best Funny Treebeard Quotes

Treebeard is a gentle and whimsical character most of the time, so his funniest lines reflect this. Most of his more humorous quotes aren’t meant to be jokes, but the absurdity and interactions with the other characters is what makes us chuckle.

via GIPHY

“Merry: [of the Entmoot] It’s been going for hours.
Pippin: They must have decided something by now.
Treebeard: Decided? No, we have just finished saying “Good Morning”.
Merry: But it’s night time already! You can’t take forever!
Treebeard: Don’t be hasty.” The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

“Treebeard: We have just agreed… [Merry and Pippin lean in and wait] 
Merry: Yes?
Treebeard: I have told your names to the Entmoot, and we have agreed you are not Orcs.” The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

“You must understand, young Hobbit, it takes a long time to say anything in Old Entish. And we never say anything unless it is worth taking a long time to say.” The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

“[reacting to Pippin’s plan] That doesn’t make sense to me. But then you are very small, perhaps you’re right.” The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

“I always like going South; somehow, it feels like going downhill.” The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

“…and those little family of field mice that climb up sometimes and they tickle me awfully.” The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

“Hroom, young Master Gandalf! I’m relieved that you’ve come. Wood and water, stock and stone I can master. But there is a wizard to manage here, locked in his tower.” The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

“Bless my bark!” The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

The Best Serious or Angry Treebeard Quotes

After finally witnessing Saruman’s destruction we get to see the full might of the Ents unleashed, which is one of the best scenes in The Two Towers. These are also the best serious and angry quotes by Treebeard, that remind you he is a pretty massive creature who can do serious damage if he wants to!

via GIPHY

“Merry: We’re not orcs. We’re hobbits.
Treebeard: Hobbits? Hmm. Never heard of a hobbit before. Sounds like orc mischief to me!” The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

“[about Orcs] They come with fire, they come with axes… gnawing, biting, breaking, hacking, burning! Destroyers and usurpers, curse them!” The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

“We Ents have not troubled about the wars of men and wizards for a very long time. But now, something is about to happen that has not happened for an age. An Entmoot.” The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

“Now we must decide if the Ents will go to war.” The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

“[to Merry and Pippin] I promised Gandalf I would keep you safe and safe is where I’ll keep you.” The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

“Treebeard: [after seeing the torn-down forest around Isengard] Saruman! A wizard should know better! [long loud yell] There is no curse in Elvish, Entish, or the tongues of men for this treachery.
Pippin: Look, the trees! They’re moving!
Merry: Where are they going?
Treebeard: They have business with the Orcs. My business is with Isengard tonight, with rock and stone.” The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

“[to Merry and Pippin while fighting the orcs at Isengard] A hit. A fine hit!” The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

“The filth of Saruman is washing away. Trees will come back to live here. Young trees. Wild trees.” The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

The Saddest Treebeard Quotes

The saddest part of Treebeard’s story is the loss of the Entwives, but he has some other tear-jerking quotes as well. These are the saddest quotes by Treebeard, where we really felt sorry for him.

via GIPHY

“Nobody cares for the woods anymore.” The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

“Treebeard: There is always smoke rising from Isengard these days.
Merry: Isengard!
Treebeard: There was a time when Saruman would walk in my woods, but now he has a mind of metal and wheels. He no longer cares for growing things.” The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

“War, yes. It affects us all, tree, root and twig.” The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

“We Ents cannot hold back this storm. We must weather such things as we have always done.” The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

“You are young and brave Master Merry. But your part in this tale is over. Go back to your home.” The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

“Merry: Why are there so few of you, when you live so long? Are there Ent children?
Treebeard: [Sadly] Burárum. There have been no Entlings for a terrible long count of years.
Merry: Why is that?
Treebeard: We lost the Entwives.
Pippin: Oh, I’m sorry. How did they die?
Treebeard: Die? No. We lost them. And now, we cannot find them. I don’t suppose you’ve seen Entwives in the Shire?
Merry: Can’t say that I have. You, Pip?
Pippin: What do they look like?
Treebeard: Hrrooom… I… don’t… remember… now.” The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

“Treebeard: Many of these trees were my friends. Creatures I had known from nut or acorn.
Pippin: I’m sorry, Treebeard.
Treebeard: They had voices of their own.” The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Bonus: The Best Treebeard Quotes from the Books

Not all of Treebeard’s story made it into the movies, but some of his lines are excellent for illustrating a bit more how long-winded and old the Ents are. Here are our favorite Treebeard quotes from the books.

via GIPHY

“I am not going to tell you my name, not yet at any rate.’ A queer half-knowing, half-humorous look came with a green flicker into his eyes. ‘For one thing it would take a long while: my name is growing all the time, and I’ve lived a very long, long time; so my name is like a story. Real names tell you the story of things they belong to in my language, in the Old Entish as you might say. It is a lovely language, but it takes a very long time saying anything in it, because we do not say anything in it, unless it is worth taking a long time to say, and to listen to.” The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

“I do not like worrying about the future. I am not altogether on anybody’s side, because nobody is altogether on my side, if you understand me: nobody cares for the woods as I care for them, not even Elves nowadays.” The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

“Things will go as they will; and there is no need to hurry to meet them.” The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

“Some of my kin look just like trees now, and need something great to rouse them; and they speak only in whispers. But some of my trees are limb-lithe, and many can talk to me.” The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

“Those were the broad days! Time was when I could walk and sing all day and hear no more than the echo of my own voice in the hollow hills. The woods were like the woods of Lothlórien, only thicker, stronger, younger. And the smell of the air!” The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

“But I spoke hastily. We must not be hasty. I have become too hot. I must cool myself and think; for it is easier to shout stop! than to do it.” The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Did We Miss Any of Your Favorite Treebeard Quotes?

Let us know in the comments below!

Want more Lord of the Rings quotes? Check these out:

Photo of author

Kristy Brandt

Originally from Tasmania, Australia, Kristy was living in London when she unexpectedly met a Dutch bloke and ended up moving to the Netherlands to be with him. Now she can be found taking numerous photos of their four weird cats, eating lots of stroopwafels and blogging at Tassie Devil Abroad.

Leave a Comment