There is a Tree at the center of each Cell in Obduction. They probably grew from the Mother Seeds that initially swapped each of the four Cells.[1] Caroline Farley suggested these seeds might come from a "Mother Tree" and be spread by "galactic winds". The health of the Trees is tied to the entire ecosystem of the Cell in which they reside, and each is connected to the others via the Heart so long as it is healthy.
Hunrath Tree[]
The Hunrath Tree has existed ever since Hartnell was swapped out of Arizona. It was already a sapling when it was discovered.[2]
In the course of time, a sturdy stone wall was built all around it and a metal door was placed that could only be controlled from the Mayor's living quarters to control access to it. An opening from the Mayor's office meant for watching the door, makes one wonder about its purpose. Had it been there to watch for falling Collector Seeds before the wall was raised, or was it made during the Mofang War to make sure nobody enabled the pasage through the Heart to Hunrath?
When access to the Tree has been enabled, its health can be restored by connecting it to the Heart. After this, all its roots and branches glow yellow/orange and its folliage turns from red to green.
Kaptar Tree[]
The Kaptar Tree is located at the front side of the Temple, enclosed partly by the temple walls and by various big machinery parts. To gain access to it, the Crankshaft cavern puzzle has to be solved, access to the Temple interior has to be gained, and the Polyarch antechamber puzzle has to be solved, while also disconnecting one of the shafts at the Crankshaft cavern. When the health of the Tree is restored, its roots and branches glow blue.
Maray Tree[]
To reach the Maray Tree the player must ride the cable car (or pod) from the Podding station to the Silo and there disable the Mofang Mofang WMD.
After that, the Tree is only protected by a bridge that must be enabled. When the health of the Tree is restored, its roots and branches glow green.
Soria Tree[]
The Soria Tree survived the Mofang WMD's blast of the Cell, but half of it became permanently charred, and the leaves of that side have burned away. It glows red when it is connected to the Heart and the folliage is restored only on its uncharred side.
Trivia[]
- The Trees were modeled after maple and oak trees in order to give them a "wise old tree" look.[3]