Tree of Mana

The Tree of Mana, also named the Mana Tree, is a recurring character in the Mana series. It is a that, since its debut in Final Fantasy Adventure, has often played a central role in the main plot. It is often placed in a holy area, such as the Mana Sanctuary, and its existence is what allows mana to exist in the world.

Final Fantasy Adventure
In Final Fantasy Adventure and its remakes, Sword of Mana and Adventures of Mana, the Tree of Mana grows atop Mt. Illusia from which a waterfall flows. Anyone who touches it will be granted the power of Mana: infinite and unlimited magic. The Tree is protected and cared for by the Mana Family. In the game's recent past the power of Mana was used to create the bloody and evil empire of Vandole. With the help of the Gemma Knights, the Mana Family overturned them and sealed off access to the Tree, leaving the Waterfall.

Throughout the game, from people and reliefs in the Dime Tower, it is revealed that the Tree of Mana is integral with life. The Waterfall is imbued with the power of Mana and its waters sustain nature. If Mana is abused the water is tainted, and the people and animals who drink it also become more evil. The only way to counter a person using Mana is with the sword Excaliber (translated in subsequent games as the Mana Sword) that is guarded by the Mana Family and wielded by a Gemma Knight.

At the end of the game the Tree is destroyed during the battle with Julius and the final secrets are revealed about the Tree. It also turns out that the members of the Mana Family literally are the seeds of the Mana Tree. If the tree dies, a Family member will become its seed. A sprout of the Mana Tree is called a Gemma, which reveals the true role of the Gemma Knights. The Heroine, the last member of the Mana Family, fulfils her role and becomes the tree, while a voice (supposedly the heroine's mother) reminds the Hero that he is the last Gemma Knight.

Secret of Mana
In Secret of Mana, the Tree of Mana grows in the world and sustains Mana, which is life, magic, and balance. It is cared for by the Mana Tribe, and has eight seeds in eight palaces throughout the world, which are focus points of its power. The Tree resides in a hidden valley called the Pureland. However it is inaccessible due to a large cloud cover that is sustained by Mana. Late in the game it is revealed that the female members of the Mana Tribe become the Tree of Mana if it withers, while the men become wielders of the Mana Sword. The current Tree is Randi's mother, while his father was the previous Mana Knight. Near the end of the game the tree is destroyed by the Mana Fortress. Although there is a Mana Knight and Mana is restored, the Tree is not, nor is there suggestion of doing so.

Trials of Mana
In Trials of Mana, the Tree of Mana resides in the Mana Holyland, and was planted by the Goddess of Mana at the end of her Creation as a sign of life with the Sword of Mana trusted into one of its roots. From it flows Mana, thereby sustaining life, but also it flows into the Mana Sword whereby a person can contol Mana. The tree is tended by fairies, which cannot live long far from the Tree, unless they acquire a permanent human host. Although Mana flows through the Sword, it cannot ultimately controled that way. If the Sword breaks or is abused by evil Mana from the Tree will flow to those it deems worthy.

At the end of the game the tree is destroyed by the final battle. The fairy however becomes the new Mana Goddess and a new Tree sprouts, since a fairy can become the Goddess if she is believed in strongly by the wielder of the Sword of Mana. It will take a thousand years for a new Tree to grow in which the world will not have Mana. There is no hint or mentioning of any negative effects of this, suggesting that Mana is more tied to magic and power rather than life and existence as compared to the other games.