‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’s Force Tree Explained

The latest film in the Star Wars saga added more layers to the struggle between light and dark, while expanding on the lore established in previous films in the franchise.

In Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the sacred Jedi planet of Ahch-To houses the original teachings of the Jedi, kept in cave in a hollowed-out tree. Of course, the tree has a lot of significance in the Star Wars universe, stretching back to the days of the Jedi Order on Coruscant.

The tree is actually called an Uneti, a Force-sensitive organism that has long been revered by the Jedi Order.

The one that grows on Ahch-To is obviously ancient, likely stretching back to some of the earliest days of the Jedi. But the species grows in other places in the galaxy, including on Coruscant.

The Jedi Temple on the Republic (and Empire) capital housed one of these Uneti trees, another indication of their prominence and value to the Jedi.

Even Chirrut Îmwe, the blind monk who serves as a Guardian of the Whills on Jedha, wields a staff made of Uneti in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

With the Lucasfilm Story Group, the new canon has made a concerted effort in building up some of the more lore-heavy aspects in the Star Wars saga. While some elements were restricted to novels, comics, and more, what were little-known aspects of the galaxy have become more prominent on the screen.

For example, Kyber crystals were only mentioned in tertiary media and only prominently appeared in the animated series until they were finally shown as a major plot device in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

The Uneti trees are the latest items to play prominence on the big screen. The Visual Dictionary even explains that Luke Skywalker finally found his way to Ahch-To by tracking the Uneti trees across the galaxy, finding a Force-laden path that lead him to the ancient Jedi planet.

Perhaps the Uneti trees will continue to play a role in the Star Wars galaxy, or will be further fleshed out in future stories.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is now playing in theaters everywhere.

(h/t ScreenRant)