Why do the Elves like Trees? - The Story of the Dead White Tree in Gondor - Tolkien's Lore in LotR

In Lord of the Rings we see this strange withered White Tree in Minas Tirith. We also find it on Gondor's banners, but what's up with with the Dead White Tree in Lord of the Rings? What is with the tree? What does it mean? What's the story behind it? Time for a LotR Lore video exploring the history of Arda - or Middle-earth and Aman to precise - in Tolkien's lore. Well it's a long story and I try to answer it in-depth as always in my Lord of the Rings Lore videos. This also answers the question: why do the elves like trees so much? Considering how influential Lord of the Rings was for the genre, It becomes clear that this is probably also the reason why in fantasy elves like trees.

Tolkien created a lot of lore and history around those trees (Middle-earth and Aman). The story crosses many other topics I have already explained in other videos (I mention that probably a bit too often in the video), so I skip some details here and there.

We start with early Arda, with Laurelin and Telperion, the Two Trees of Valinor, go over Galathilion to Celeborn, to Nimloth until the line of the trees of Gondor starts and seems to end in Minas Tirith (Minas Anor). This also explains why the elves like trees so much.

Characters connected to the White trees are ofc Isildur in Númenor, Aragorn and Gandalf in the Third Age, but also Sauron, the Nazgul (Ringwraiths) with their leader Witchking of Angmar and his city Minas Morgul. As always I will also explain some book difference compared to the LotR movies.

I also want to thank Niahti, who allowed me to use her amazing art work in my video:

Feel free to check out her work:

#LotR #Lore #explained

#### Sources ####

Books:
Lord of The Rings (1954-1955) by J. R. R. Tolkien
The Silmarillion (1977) by J. R. R. Tolkien; Editor: Christopher Tolkien
The Hobbit (1937) by J. R. R. Tolkien
Unfinished Tales (1980) by J. R. R. Tolkien; Editor: Christopher Tolkien

Pictures from:
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) (not sure if the Dol Guldur picture is actually from the 2nd Hobbit movie)
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)
Shadow of War
Shadow of Mordor

Maps:

Two Trees of Valinor Art Work:

Recommended Wiki (best by far):

The Philosopher's Games / TPhGames / TPhLore

Follow me on Twitter for updates and news:
@PhilosophGames

I usually make analytical gaming and Tolkien & LotR lore content. Feel free to check my channel (ThePhilosophersGames) for more:

[thestraightroad]

My mother introduced me to The Lord of the Rings when I was about nine in the fifties. I have loved and reread them over and over since then, and all the books by his son Christopher. As a child artist I illustrated many of the events and characters. I raised my daughter with the books and now my grandchildren have just finished the Hobbit. When I hear your voice it is like hearing a traveler from Middle Earth retelling the stories I have loved for sixty years. You do a great service to us all and I hope many will be encouraged through your work to read Tolkien’s masterpiece for themselves.

[iamnoro]

So far, the one and only person who, in my opinion, able to explain Tolkien world in detail. I learn so much from your video, thanks!

[thestraightroad]

I absolutely do not understand the complaints about your accent, the pronunciation of words and names in Tolkien languages, and even your use of English. Really! I think your presentation is clear, easy to understand and very professional while expressing your warmth and passion for the history of Middle Earth and it’s peoples. I began to read the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings in the sixties when I was 10, and have an extensive library. I think you have done a penetrating and thorough collection detailing and outlining these narratives. Thank you—I’ve enjoyed and learned a lot.

[jollytroopersucks]

Tolkien was so in depth with a seemingly more complete and detailed history than our own. It's almost as if he channeled his writings from a parallel universe that is as real as ours is.

[oli]

LOTR fandom: "bet you can't do a video on the random white trees in the movies and lore!"


Thephilosophersgames: "hold my

[keyboarddancers]

I've been re-reading Tolkien's majestic tales of Arda in great depth since 1974; your re-telling of these tales provides a refreshing and genuinely insightful narrative.

[Anglisc]

I live by a floodplain and there are often thick blankets of mist there, at dawn, twilight, and night, and at night, when the moon shines, you can clearly see thick streams of mist coming from the river, and blankets of mist forming all over the flood plain, and the willows are silhouetted by the bright moon, and so are the alders, and the other trees.


In the day, the trees around there, give off a golden-green glow as the light of the sun shines on them. Reminds me of Laurelin, whereas at night, certain trees kinda glow in a way that reminds me of Telperion.


And the plains themselves make it easy for me to imagine what the plains of Valinor/Aman look like, especially in the spring, when blossom is everywhere and the grass is fresh, and there are bees. And the sunsets illuminate the tops of the grass, too, and the architecture in the Villages and the nearby manors look somewhat Elven, in addition to the pristine gardens and such.

[Rodrigo]

Always great to learn more about tlotr lore. Once again, such an amazing amount of detail in each aspect, great work.

[franciscomatallana]

Great video, very clear and well explained!

[scottfree]

A beautiful story! I love how the light of the Two Trees of the Valar live on in the Sun and Moon and in the Simiril that became the Dawn Star! Wonderful video and summary of Tolkien's writings!

[aculinarianscuriosity]

I just love hearing your pronunciation. I’m listening to all the books on audible and I wish they used your pronunciations. Love it

[lukeskywalkerthend]

It's about time you did another Tolkien video (lol) Anyway I find the White Tree of Gondor to be quite fascinating and (like all things Tolkien) quite deep in its lore and history. It's honesty one of my most favorite Artifacts in Middle Earth! :)

[Richie_Godsil]

Very comprehensive, seems like you put a lot of thought and work into the video.

[alexolah]

I want to thank you for the great content and for your work. GREAT naration and interpretation.

[MrNoucfeanor]

It sets my heart ablaze with glee to hear to proper pronunciation of Feanor. I've used the name for well over a decade as a username and I cannot tell you how much it grates my nerves when I hear "feener"... the difference two dots over a letter make =D

[DaRollinThunder]

Great video as always best part was that animation of the Floating Island XD. It was great Also I don't know why but the YouTube bell thing got switched off for me.

[worldtraveler]

I had hoped that you were going to address the trees of Lothlorien and why the elves live in them as well as a significance of Galadriel's gift to Sam and how it replace the party Tree in Hobbiton.

[PartOfTheGame]

It's always interesting to think how deep Tolkien's understanding of men goes. The wisdom and words and promises of ancestors for men are swiftly forgotten, sometimes within as little as a single century. Memories turn into stories. Stories into legend. Legend into myth. The memory of men is disappointingly short and the honor and trust forgotten and even spited upon by later generations.

[ThePhilosophersGames]

I also made some new maps, an additional information bubble and highlighted some stuff in the texts for better readability. A lot of smaller editing stuff, I hope you like it.
If you ask how the two lamps looked:
Sadly the artist did not reply =/

I hope you like it :)

[ffejpsycho]

Numenoreans: "Thank you greatly elves, for these gifts, what a beautiful Tree!"

< *In Thought To Self* >
[ thanks soooo much! This tree more than evens everything out...

I'm sure eternal life on happiness island is over-rated anyways...

Thanks, though for taking the time to stop in and again remind us all how you elves got arbitrarily handed "never-ending eternal bliss on heaven island + reincarnation in case of accident ☆free of charge☆", while we got "able to die"... the gift that keeps on giving...

Why is it we're fighting on Eru's side, again?]

Numenoreans: "Give the Ainur our regards!

< *Thought* >
[Ya Jerks!!]