Most of the time, trees serve nothing more than being a barrier or nice scenery. Our earth brothers never really get their chance of fame in the sunlight (which is unfortunate, cause they thrive on that stuff). Hardly are they ever seen as a prominent role, so here's a tribute to the ones that stand out. Here are some of the best trees in gaming that make our games that much greener.

Whispy Woods (Kirby series)

Why does this tree always look surprised? Mr. Woods has been around ever since Kirby's Dreamland and is forever persistant at throwing his apples at the pink puff ball. Whispy gets points for being an evil tree, which you just don't see a lot of, though he doesn't exactly have the most threatening demeanor. Also you have to wonder, how hard is it to FIGHT A TREE?

The Great Deku Tree (Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time)

This tree...has a mustache. I don't really need to say more, but I will anyway. Like any old man, the Deku tree is filled with webs and spiders, and it's up to Link to clean him out. He watches over the Kokiri, a group of children who never seem to age. Being wise and also brave, this tree stood his ground (quite literally) and refused to give in to Ganondorf's demands, and ended up cursed for it. Tough break big guy.

Iifa Tree (Final Fantasy 9)

Granted, I haven't played Final Fantasy 9, but the tree looked so amazing that I had to add it to the list. The way it manages to tower over the surroundings menacingly while still somehow looking beautiful is astonishing. From what I understand, the tree emits a mist that's used to create Black Mages, and is also used to filter the souls of Gaia. Zidane and his group travel to it to find Kuja, a villain in the game, and if there was ever a tree to be used as an evil lair, it would be this.

Harold (Fallout 3)

Think of Harold as Treebeard's mentally deranged cousin. Well okay, that was a bit harsh, but being a half-human half-tree mutant definitely doesn't make you the prettiest flower in the garden, if you get me. Harold should've known something was wrong with him when a tree started to grow on the side of his head, and now he's rooted to the ground. Despite not being able to move, Harold didn't forget to have a sense of humor, and even named his tree Bob (though he sometimes likes to call him Herbert).

The Boggly Woods Great Tree (Paper Mario: Thousand Year Door)

I'm no botanist, but I don't think black trees are real. Even so, this seemingly threatening giant is not a fortress of doom, but actually the home of cute little Punies (yes, they are called Puni). Our famous plumber comes across this gothic plant on his quest to find Peach (gasp!), as well as seven power crystals that Will help him on his journey.

The Trees in Grand Theft Auto

I know what you must be thinking. These are just plain old trees! There's nothing special about them; just ordinary, run of the mill trees! Well, in any other game you would most certainly be right. However, in a game that's based around destruction and mayhem, these trees turn from "innocent scenery" to "instant car stopper". Light posts, mailboxes and traffic lights tremble in fear as my blazing corvette rams into them, laughing as I go. But that laughter quickly stiffles when I see a driver's worst nightmare: an incoming, terrifying log of timber in my path. Whether a lurking palm tree or a three foot stick, it will stop your death ramage in your tracks, making them one of the most feared trees in video games.

Thanks for reading, and see you in the next entry!