> He doesn't advance the story in any way He advances the world and builds context for many elements in the later story. Fangorn has many parallels to the Old

> He doesn't advance the story in any way He advances the world and builds context for many elements in the later story. Fangorn has many parallels to the Old Forest, and much of the storyline involving Ents & Huorns benefits from the context given by the earlier encounters with Tom's neighbouring spirits (and his enchantment of them).