The relationship between the Tree of Harmony and the Everfree forest?

[windy_prance 114]

In the season 4 premiere, Celestia states that the Tree of Harmony "control and contain all that grows here" with its magic. "Here" meaning the Everfree forest where the tree is located.

 

Now I assumed at first that it just means the tree ensure Everfree forest doesn't expand beyond its border. After re-watching the episode however I realize that Celestia's statement is open to a lot of interpretation. Celestia's words also included "control"...does that mean the tree is the source of the Everfree forest's chaotic magic? Are the seemingly uncontrollable phenomenons in the Everfree forest the Tree of Harmony's doing?

 

It'll make sense if the reason the ponies can't control the magic within the forest is because the entire area is being controlled by a higher power.

 

Any thoughts?

Edited November 29, 2013 by windy_prance

[Scootalove 10,692]

The Tree of Harmony is like a unification representation of the Elements themselves, and that the Everfree Forest is contained also that it can not spread past it's boundaries until the seeds that Discord had started to grow and drained the magic from the tree. I think that the Tree of Harmony has a connection with the Everfree Forest, to contain/prevent anything out of ordinary to come out of the forest and also to protect the Elements that are inside.

Edited November 29, 2013 by Scootalove

[Dsanders 5,750]

That is actually a pretty interesting theory you have there. I mean it does make sense. Celestia did say "control" as well as "contain" so that could imply that the Tree of Harmony would have somewhat of a 'divine' and magical authority over the forest. Plus, that could also explain why the magic of the Mane 6 ponies can't work properly in the Everfree Forest. 

 

But this also brings up another question. How exactly was the Everfree Forest even formed?  Could it be that the Tree of Harmony was the initial source of it's growth? Cause I mean if it has "control" over it, that could also imply it was also its instigator. And the Tree of Harmony does seem be located, what appears to be, the very center of the forest.

 

 

 

The Mane 6 can't really control the wild things in the forest with magic because of all of the disturbances such as wild animals and other creatures.

 

That doesn't really make much sense to be honest with you. I fail to see how the ecology of the forest correlate to the Mane 6's inability to properly harness their magic...   

[Scootalove 10,692]

 

 

 

 

 

That doesn't really make much sense to be honest with you. I fail to see how the ecology of the forest correlate to the Mane 6's inability to properly harness their magic...   

Yeah, sorry. I think that the Tree of Harmony has a connection with the Everfree Forest, to contain/prevent anything out of ordinary to come out of the forest and also to protect the Elements that are inside.

[Commander Urdnot 2,680]

Well, let's break it down.

 

What does it mean to contain?

Google says:

Have or hold (someone or something) within.

 

What is control?

Google says:

The power to influence or direct people's behavior or the course of events.

 

So if this tree is there to "control and contain all that grows here," then that means that this tree is holding the forest within a boundary. This tree is also influencing and directing the behavior and course of events of the forest.

 

These phenomenoa are occurring within this forest. This forest is the source. If this forest is in control of the phenomena, and the tree is in control of the forest, then the tree is control of the phenomena due to transitive relation.

 

If X is controlled by Y

And if Z is controlled by X

Then Z is also controlled by Y

 

Yes, the tree is indeed the reason why these phenomena are taking place in the forest.

Edited November 29, 2013 by Commander Urdnot

[Nature's Spell 526]

It's somewhat ironic that the thing that protects Equestria (EOH/TOH) is also, maybe, the root cause and controlling spirit of the one area the ponies fear the most-the Everfree Forest. As others have said did the tree create the Forest or just constrain its growth? Why is the forest so different? So many questions...

Edited November 29, 2013 by Nature's Spell

[Declen 118]

That's an interesting thing.

In our eyes The Everfree Forest is an absolutely perfectly normal self-sustained ecological system. Which is at the other hoof unique for Equestria. Pretty much any other ecosystem needs helping hoof of ponies (or other sophonts) to stay fruitful.

And it looks like Tree of Harmony is what allows Everfree Forest to be normal.

[windy_prance 114]

I just realize something. Let's just say I am right and the Tree of Harmony is the source of the Everfree Forest's seemingly chaotic magic. Celestia said "control and contain all that grows here"...so if she wasn't referring to protecting ponies from the Everfree magic...what was she REALLY referring to?

 

Could this mean the Tree of Harmony is protecting Equestria from something else that is even WORSE than Everfree magic?

[FNGRpony 658]

Well now that you point it out,

now the elements are back in the tree, does that mean the ever free Forrest might stop being so... well... bizarre?

 

I don't know but thanks for pointing it out.

[Malinter 3,064]

 

Could this mean the Tree of Harmony is protecting Equestria from something else that is even WORSE than Everfree magic?

 

Actually it could have a slightly more basic function.

 

The ponies already lost one homeland to the blizzard of the wendigos, The tree probably exists to prevent them losing there new home to the everfree forest, which if it expanded would make equestria uninhabitable by ponies. we could even see the weeds disrupting sweet apple acres already which provides one of their main sources of food,

 

The only problem here though is what existed first, the ponies or the tree. We can certainly believe the tree is older than the sisters but is it older than say, there own parents and the alicorns (if any) that existed before them. The tree looks so out of place in the forest, i'm more likely to believe it was planted there rather than it springing into existence on its own.

[Declen 118]

 

 

so if she wasn't referring to protecting ponies from the Everfree magic...what was she REALLY referring to?

She might refer to, as I sayd:

 

 

In our eyes The Everfree Forest is an absolutely perfectly normal self-sustained ecological system. Which is at the other hoof unique for Equestria. Pretty much any other ecosystem needs helping hoof of ponies (or other sophonts) to stay fruitful.

And it looks like Tree of Harmony is what allows Everfree Forest to be normal.

[LordDiscord 289]

That is a interesting theory, but my thing is if the Tree of Harmony is keeping the forest calm and contained, then why does the forest look the way that it does? Couldn't the tree make the Everfree Forest look like any other forest while also keeping its ecosystem going?

[Malinter 3,064]

That is a interesting theory, but my thing is if the Tree of Harmony is keeping the forest calm and contained, then why does the forest look the way that it does? Couldn't the tree make the Everfree Forest look like any other forest while also keeping its ecosystem going?

 

Maybe that's its defense? Pretty sure humanity wouldn't be deforesting much of the world if forests could spawn beasts the size of tanks to kill us XD

 

In fact, its nature is what scares the ponies from entering it in the first place. Even the sisters went looking for the elements because they were desperate enough to risk entering it.

Edited November 29, 2013 by Malinter

[Declen 118]

then why does the forest look the way that it does?

Actually, in previous episodes Everfree Forest looked pretty normal. At least to me. Did I miss something?

Edited November 29, 2013 by Declen

[LordDiscord 289]

Besides the creatures that take residence in the forest, the forest itself gives off a very uneasy vibe to it as well as the fact that its always dark in the forest regardless of the time of day.

[Declen 118]

 

 

Even the sisters went looking for the elements because they were desperate enough to risk entering it.

Zecora lives in there whole the time.

[Malinter 3,064]

Actually, in previous episodes Everfree Forest looked pretty normal. At least to me. Did I miss something?

 

I believe the nature of the trees themselves, there not all bushy like sweet apple acres but dark, mossy "weeping willow" type trees. its also quite densely forested as well, enough that the canopy of trees can block sunlight/moonlight completely.

 

It also literally spawns monsters, like timberwolves.

Zecora lives in there whole the time.

 

Zecora isn't 1000 years old, the forest could have been more dangerous back then XD. 

 

Zecora also uses magic without a horn so why would a forest without magic freak her out?

[Declen 118]

 

 

its always dark in the forest regardless of the time of day.

 

I believe the nature of the trees themselves, there not all bushy like sweet apple acres but dark, mossy "weeping willow" type trees. its also quite densely forested as well, enough that the canopy of trees can block sunlight/moonlight completely.

I believe, the similar conditions can be seen in jungles for example. When threes are high and dense enough, there will be dark in the forest.

 

 

It also literally spawns monsters, like timberwolves.

A bear (for example) is in fact a very dangerous beast, too.

[Malinter 3,064]

I believe, the similar conditions can be seen in jungles for example. When threes are high and dense enough, there will be dark in the forest.

 

Exactly, but that's what makes the forest so alienating to the ponies, it looks like no other forest they've seen before. there more used to the forests they run during the running of the leaves.

[Declen 118]

 

 

Zecora also uses magic without a horn so why would a forest without magic freak her out?

What do you mean "forest without magic"?

[Malinter 3,064]

A bear (for example) is in fact a very dangerous beast, too.

 

Sod bears, bring on the Usra Major. Its a titan XD

What do you mean "forest without magic"?

 

Ponies don't need to tend to it. So most of what it does is natural, not magical.

[Declen 118]

 

 

Sod bears, bring on the Usra Major. Its a titan

I ment, bears in our world can be considered as monsters. And they were, too.

Exactly, but that's what makes the forest so alienating to the ponies, it looks like no other forest they've seen before. there more used to the forests they run during the running of the leaves.

Well, that was my point: EF is only normal self-sustained ecosystem in Equestria.

And then a question came: then why it does look so scary?

[Malinter 3,064]

I ment, bears in our world can be considered as monsters. And they were, too.

Well, that was my point: EF is only normal self-sustained ecosystem in Equestria.

And then a question came: then why it does look so scary?

 

 

That might just boil down to its size and that the ponies are rather small. And not ever pony is as fearless as Rainbow Dash.

[Declen 118]

 

 

That might just boil down to its size and that the ponies are rather small.

Since you've mentioned it: how big are they, actually?

[Malinter 3,064]

Since you've mentioned it: how big are they, actually?

 

that varies alot. i've heard some say that even big ponies like big mac would only just be a bit taller than a humans knee and they where going off the scale of background buildings. 

 

another is Spike's 20carat ruby which he gave to Rarity. if you actually check the size of a real 20carat gem that would make Rarity barely bigger than a human hand. XD

Edited November 29, 2013 by Malinter