Elden Ring fans consider the Tree of Erd to be a “Christmas tree”

Reddit user Independent-Design17 proposed a fascinating connection between Elden Ring's Erdtree and the Australian Christmas tree, Nuytsia floribunda. Superficial similarities exist, particularly with the game's smaller Erdtrees. However, deeper thematic parallels have captivated fans.

In Elden Ring, the Erdtree guides the souls of the departed, a detail mirrored by the Aboriginal Australian reverence for Nuytsia as a "spirit tree." Each flowering branch symbolizes a deceased soul, its vibrant color echoing the sunset, the perceived destination of spirits in their beliefs. The catacombs at the Erdtree's base further reinforce this connection.

Adding to the intrigue, Nuytsia is a hemiparasite, drawing nutrients from neighboring plants. This resonates with the popular fan theory suggesting the Erdtree is parasitic, having usurped the life force of an ancient Great Tree. However, it's now understood that references to a "Great Tree" in game descriptions were mistranslations, actually referring to the Erdtree's own extensive root system.

Ultimately, whether these Nuytsia parallels are deliberate design choices by FromSoftware remains a mystery.