The tree as depicted in "Hilda's world.
The Faratok Tree is a millennia-old tree that used to grow in the Forest of Nott. It appears in the season 3 episode "Chapter 3: The Giantslayer" and the tie-in book "Hilda and the Faratok Tree".
Appearance and abilities[]
The Faratok Tree is an ash tree that is much larger than most other trees. The tree contains several hollows through which one can enter into the labyrinth of gnarly passageways formed by the roots.
According to "Hilda's World: A guide to Trolberg, the wilderness, and beyond", the tree is known to have various magical properties. The wood is traditionally used to make magic wands and charms to keep the Fair folk at bay. Hilda's great aunt Astrid uses the wood for this reason. The roots of the Faratok Tree reach through time and space, thus allowing anyone who enters the tree to travel through time. According to Wood Man in "Hilda and the Faratok Tree", these roots also branch across different timelines, allowing one to not just travel back and forth in time, but also sideways. This way, any changes a time traveler makes in the past result in an alternate timeline being created, rather than the original timeline being replaced, and thus time travel through the Faratok Tree does not come with the risk of attracting a Time Worm.
Role in the series[]
In both "Chapter 3: The Giantslayer" and "Hilda and the Faratok Tree", Hilda encounters the Faratok Tree, and finds Wood Man there, who is taking care of the tree. When Twig chases a Giant squirrel into the tree, he, Hilda and Wood Man end up in the time of the giants. Near the end of their stay, the Faratok Tree is accidentally set on fire due to the actions of Halvor, but Wood Man and Hilda are able to return through the tree to the present before the tree fully burns down. Once back in their own time, the tree is gone due to what happened in the past. In the animated series, Wood Man states he's going to grow a new Faratok Tree.
Trivia[]
- The events from the series are referenced in "Hilda's World" through a footnote by Hilda that the tree actually burned down thousands of years ago.
Gallery[]
