Harry Potter · Location

Whomping Willow

other
magical tree

Ancient aggressive tree that thrashes branches to attack intruders, thick trunk, powerful limbs. Damage in ch5.

Type: other
Style: magical tree
First appears: Book 2 · Ch. 4
Books: 3

The Whomping Willow is a violent, ancient tree on the Hogwarts grounds whose thrashing branches batter anything that comes within reach. It first gains notoriety when Harry and Ron crash Mr. Weasley's flying Ford Anglia into it, earning a furious beating and the destruction of Ron's wand. In Prisoner of Azkaban its true purpose is revealed: it was planted to guard the secret tunnel to the Shrieking Shack used by the young werewolf Remus Lupin, and it becomes central to the climax involving Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew. By Goblet of Fire it has settled into a menacing background fixture of the grounds, still lashing out at the weather and passersby.

History

BOOK 2Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Ancient aggressive tree that thrashes branches to attack intruders, thick trunk, powerful limbs. Damage in ch5.
BOOK 3Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
BOOK 4Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Violent tree on the grounds.