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It was not called the Old Forest without reason, for it was indeed ancient, a survivor of vast forgotten woods; and in it there lived yet, ageing no quicker than the hills, the fathers of the fathers of trees, remembering times when they were lords. The countless years had filled them with pride and rooted wisdom, and with malice.
- The Fellowship of the Ring (Book 1), Chapter 7
Located between the eastern border of the Shire and the Barrow-downs, the Old Forest is one of the last remains of the great woodlands that once occupied much of Eriador. It survived the deforestation of the western shores of Middle-earth by the Númenóreans and the destruction caused by the War of the Elves and Sauron.
Millennia of destruction have turned the ancient trees of the forest queer and wicked, making the Old Forest a dangerous land to pass through. Its hostility to travellers means only few Hobbits dare to enter it. Much of the forest's hatred stems from the Old Man Willow, an ancient willow tree only kept in check by Tom Bombadil.
