Treebeard is the Ent who helps Merry and Pippin in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings.
Treebeard, whose Elvish name is Fangorn, is one of the oldest beings in Middle-earth. He lives in Fangorn Forest and meets Merry and Pippin after the two Hobbits escape from the Orcs who captured them. His meeting with them helps lead the Ents toward their assault on Isengard.
The Ents are tree-like shepherds created by Tolkien as part of Middle-earth’s living history. Treebeard is cautious because the Ents are slow to make decisions, but Saruman’s destruction of forests forces them to act. His character connects the novel’s personal adventure with a larger conflict over industrial exploitation and the natural world.
Quickbeam is another Ent, while Fangorn is both Treebeard’s name and the name of the forest. These related names are common sources of confusion.