Which Middle-earth people did J.R.R. Tolkien call Ents in The Lord of the Rings?

J.R.R. Tolkien called the Ents “tree shepherds” in The Lord of the Rings.

Ents are ancient, tree-like beings who care for and protect the forests of Middle-earth. Their name comes from an Old English word meaning giant, and Tolkien connected them to the broader tradition of talking trees and nature spirits. The best-known Ent is Treebeard, also called Fangorn, who meets Merry and Pippin in Fangorn Forest.

The Ents play a major role in the downfall of Isengard. After hearing the hobbits’ account of Saruman’s destruction of trees, Treebeard and the Ents decide to march against the wizard’s fortress. Their assault demonstrates both their immense strength and their traditionally slow, deliberate way of making decisions.

“Tree shepherds” is Tolkien’s descriptive phrase, while Ent is the name of the people. They are not simply ordinary trees that have begun walking, and they are distinct from Huorns, an older and more mysterious related group.