In J.R.R. Tolkien’s mythology, the tree-shepherd beings are called Ents.
The Ents are ancient, tree-like beings created to protect trees from the activities of other speaking peoples. Their name comes from an Old English word meaning “giant,” reflecting Tolkien’s interest in older languages and literature. The best-known Ent is Treebeard, who leads the Ents of Fangorn Forest.
In The Lord of the Rings, the Ents hold an Entmoot, or council, to decide how to respond to Saruman’s destruction of trees. They eventually march against Isengard, helping bring down Saruman’s stronghold.
Ents are sometimes confused with Huorns. Huorns are related, more tree-like beings whose exact nature is less clearly defined, while Ents are articulate and person-like. The Entwives were the female Ents, but Tolkien stated that they had become lost before the events of The Lord of the Rings.