What Is a Flesh Tree? Purpose, Lore, and Locations

In the survival horror games The Forest and its sequel, Sons of the Forest, players encounter disturbing structures known as “flesh trees.” These are not living organisms but macabre, man-made constructions that serve as a testament to the island’s hostile inhabitants. These effigies are a feature of the game’s environmental storytelling, immediately signaling to the player that they are in dangerous territory.

What is a Flesh Tree

A flesh tree is a grotesque effigy assembled from a gruesome collection of materials. These structures are built with simple sticks and stabilized with rocks at the base, but are defined by the integration of dismembered human body parts. These include severed heads, arms, and legs, which are impaled on the wooden framework.

The design of these effigies differs between the two games. In The Forest, players can construct several pre-designed versions, such as a “small effigy” or larger, more intimidating variants. Sons of the Forest introduced a custom building system, allowing players to create more freeform structures. The cannibals themselves also construct these effigies, often creating larger arrangements that serve as a chilling welcome to their territory.

Purpose and Function in Gameplay

The primary function of a player-built effigy is to act as a defensive tool that instills fear in cannibals. When a player builds and, in The Forest, sets an effigy on fire, it generates a “fear” value in a radius of approximately five meters. This can cause approaching cannibals to hesitate, observe the structure from a distance, and potentially retreat, buying valuable time during an attack.

The effectiveness of this fear tactic varies depending on the type of enemy. In Sons of the Forest, effigies are most effective against the weaker “Muddies,” who will often refuse to enter an area protected by them. Regular cannibals are less affected; some may be scared away, while others will investigate before fleeing. Stronger variants, like the large “Titans” or the aggressive “Golden Mask” cannibals, are more resistant and may attack before the fear causes them to run.

The Lore Behind Flesh Trees

Beyond their gameplay function, flesh trees are an element of environmental storytelling that offers insight into the cannibalistic tribes. These structures are not random; they represent a form of ritualistic expression within the cannibals’ culture. They can be interpreted as grim warnings to outsiders, territorial markers to define their land, or even objects of worship.

The cannibals’ behavior, including the construction of effigies, is linked to a complex belief system. Some cannibals have been observed kneeling and humming before these structures, implying a form of prayer or reverence. This suggests the effigies could be offerings to a deity or a way to communicate, with some players speculating they are part of a blood ritual.

Where to Find Flesh Trees

Enemy-built flesh trees are not randomly scattered but are typically found in locations of significance to the cannibals. Players will most commonly discover them marking the entrances to major cannibal villages, acting as a clear and brutal demarcation of their territory. They are also frequently placed along major patrol routes that crisscross the island, serving as signposts for the inhabitants. The presence of multiple effigies in an area is a reliable sign of high enemy concentration.

In Sons of the Forest, specific landmarks are often adorned with these structures or their remnants. The entrances to important cave systems, such as the Rebreather Cave on the northern coast, often feature effigies or similar gruesome displays, signaling the dangers that lie within. As players establish a more permanent base and their presence on the island becomes more pronounced, cannibals may begin to construct new effigies nearby as a direct warning and an attempt to intimidate the intruder.