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:
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/bxq0r

Feel free to check out her work:
https://www.artstation.com/niahti

#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:
http://lotrproject.com/map

Two Trees of Valinor Art Work:
Niahti; https://www.artstation.com/niahti

Recommended Wiki (best by far):
http://tolkiengateway.net



The Philosopher's Games / TPhGames / TPhLore

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