Treebeard's Perception of Wizards in Middle-earth: Gandalf and Radagast

In J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Treebeard’s perception of Gandalf as the only wizard who cares about trees reflects his deep connection to nature and the role of the Ents as guardians of the forest.

The Deep Connection to Nature

Treebeard appreciates Gandalf’s respect for the natural world, especially in the face of the destructive forces at play in Middle-earth. Gandalf’s involvement in protecting and preserving nature, including trees, makes him stand out among the other wizards. However, Treebeard’s ambiguous view of Radagast highlights the differences between the two wizards.

Radagast, the Brown Wizard: An Ambiguous Figure

Radagast is known for his affinity with animals and nature, but he is less involved in the broader conflicts of Middle-earth compared to Gandalf. His name, “tender of beasts,” suggests a closer relationship with fauna than flora. Treebeard likely recognizes Radagast’s love for nature, but he may view him as less of an ally in the fight against the encroaching darkness.

The Discrepancy in Radagast’s Location

It’s important to note that there is some discrepancy regarding where Radagast’s abode, Rhosgobel, is located. In The Hobbit, Gandalf mentions that Radagast “lives near the Southern borders of Mirkwood,” while a note in Unfinished Tales says Rhosgobel is “in the forest between the Carrock and the Old Forest Road.” This location is further north and is distinctly separate from Fangorn.

The Characterization of Radagast

Tolkien seems to have had limited interest in fully developing Radagast. At one point in the story, Radagast simply disappears, leaving him as one of the story’s oddities. His lack of significant development suggests that Tolkien did not have much time to flesh out his character, given the other demanding projects he was working on, such as The Lord of the Rings and its appendices.

The Role of the Ents and Treebeard

Treebeard, being one of the sentient species in Middle-earth, does not know what wizards are or where they came from. Since the Ents "only presented themselves to [Tolkien’s] sight without premeditation or any previous conscious knowledge," it is possible that Tolkien did not fully develop Radagast’s relationship with the other characters, such as Gandalf or Radagast himself. This also explains why Treebeard doesn’t know about Tom Bombadil before Merry and Pippin tell him about their adventures.

Towards the End

It is essential to clarify that despite Treebeard’s perception, Gandalf is not as conscientious about trees as Treebeard believes. However, Gandalf does not joyfully or wantonly burn them either. Moreover, it is highly unlikely that Gandalf ever started any fires in Fangorn. The relationships between characters, such as those between Treebeard, Radagast, and Gandalf, are complex and often left open to interpretation in the rich tapestry of The Lord of the Rings.