J.R.R. Tolkien created the Ents as tree-like people in The Lord of the Rings.
Ents are ancient shepherds of trees who live in Middle-earth’s forests. Their best-known leader is Treebeard, or Fangorn, who meets Merry and Pippin after the hobbits escape from the Orcs. Ents speak slowly and deliberate carefully, reflecting Tolkien’s association of their character with the age and patience of trees.
The Ents become central to the attack on Isengard. Angered by Saruman’s destruction of forests and use of natural resources, they march against the fortress and destroy it. The Entwives, who cultivated gardens and orderly lands, are said to have disappeared long before the main events of the story.
Ents are not simply animated trees. Tolkien describes them as a distinct speaking people with their own history and language. They are also different from Huorns, mysterious tree-like beings associated with Fangorn Forest that are related to, but not identical with, the Ents.