Ents are the powerful tree-like beings who march against Isengard in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. Led by Treebeard, they attack Saruman’s fortress after learning how extensively his forces have destroyed forests.
The Ents are shepherds of trees, and their name comes from an Old English word meaning giant or monster. Tolkien connected them to the broader tradition of talking or moving trees in European literature, while giving them a distinctive language, culture, and history.
The attack on Isengard occurs after Merry and Pippin meet Treebeard in Fangorn Forest. The Ents and Huorns overwhelm the industrial stronghold, break its defenses, and flood the area. They are not the same as the giant Eagles or the supernatural Maiar, although all are distinct peoples or beings in Tolkien’s world.