Mallorn

The most outstanding - and unique — feature of Lothlórien was of course the mallorn trees (S. "Golden Tree" pl."Mellyrn"). Hardy and strong, able to grow to great heights and with branches seemingly bred to accomodate the plat- forms and structures of the the Silvan Elves, the beautiful mallorn had no equal in beauty in Middle-earth. Their trunks and branches were covered by a smooth silver-white bark. In the summer the trees grew long leaves, pale green on top and silver undemeath. ln late autumn these leaves turned pure gold, and remained on the trees until spring, until pale gold blossoms sprout, Thus, in the spring Lorien was roofed and carpeted with gold. Mallorn trees did not die of old age and were immune to all forms of disease and plague which other trees might suffer. They grew quickly in their early life, and their main branches grew perpendicular to the trunk, providing ideal foundations for the ﬂets (or telain), arboreal platforms which were the preferred lodging-place of the Golden Wood’s inhabitants (thus their name: Galadhrim or "tree- dwellers"). The mallorns were not native to Middle-earth; they originated in the Undying Lands and were probably related to Laurelin, one of the original Two Trees (thus one of the earlier names for the Golden Wood: Laurelindórenan or “Land of the valley of Singing Gold") Galadriel was given a few mallorn seeds by Gil-galad, who had in turn been given a number as a gift from the Númenórean king Tar-Aldarion (The mallorns prospered in Númenor, carried there from Eressea). The trees would not grow in Lindon, but by the power of Galadriel they flourished in Lorinand — though not to the height they achieved in Valinor. Galadriel was one of very few who had actually seen Lórien in Valinor and had a great understanding of growing things. For a long while the place became known as Laurelindórenan, then was short-ened to Lothlórien (“Dreamﬂower") then finally, in the autumn of the realm. to simply Lórien (S.“Dreamland”).