J.R.R. Tolkien introduced the Ents as a fictional race of tree shepherds in The Lord of the Rings.
The Ents are ancient, tree-like beings who inhabit Fangorn Forest. Their leader, Treebeard, is one of the oldest living creatures encountered by the story’s protagonists. Ents are associated with the care of forests and the long, deliberate passage of time.
Their most important action in the novel is the assault on Isengard. Angered by Saruman’s destruction of trees, the Ents march against the fortress and help destroy its industrial machinery. This episode makes them a major force in the conflict, rather than merely a colorful background species.
The word “ent” comes from Old English, where it could mean a giant or a large being. Tolkien’s Ents therefore combine a linguistic reference from early English literature with his recurring concern about environmental destruction and the loss of ancient forests.