Tree Hugger

Tree Hugger is a female Earth pony who appears in the season five episode Make New Friends but Keep Discord. She is Fluttershy's friend and guest to the Grand Galloping Gala. Her demeanor and affectations are reminiscent of the hippie subculture of the 1960s.

Development and design
Tree Hugger was previewed in one of the animation images shown at Ponycon NYC on February 16, 2015.

She shares her design with an unnamed mare in.

Depiction in the series
Tree Hugger is first mentioned at the beginning of the episode Make New Friends but Keep Discord. Fluttershy states that she met her on a trip to see the Breezies and that she's a member of the Equestrian Society for the Preservation of Rare Creatures. When Fluttershy mentions to Discord that she plans to take Tree Hugger with her to the Grand Galloping Gala, it upsets Discord.

Later in the episode, Discord meets Tree Hugger in person, and she addresses him in a considerably mellow manner, using such words as "radical" and "righteous."

At the Gala proper, Fluttershy and Tree Hugger spend much of the evening in each other's company, much to Discord's irritation. He tries to come between the two, but Tree Hugger plays off his attempts with her usual composure. When the Smooze covers everything in slime and threatens to ruin the Gala, Tree Hugger calms him with "auditory therapy," and the ponies commend her.

Fed up with all the attention Tree Hugger is receiving, Discord nearly banishes her to another dimension, but Fluttershy stops him. In the end, Discord apologizes to Tree Hugger for his jealousy, and the two start over on friendlier terms.

Quotes
"Radical to meet you. Really digging your vibe."

- To Discord in Make New Friends but Keep Discord

"Righteous!"

- Make New Friends but Keep Discord

"The aura coming off the waterfall was so alive! So, like, magic manifestation."

- Make New Friends but Keep Discord

"Nice to meet you. I'm Tree Hugger. Blessings."

- To Discord in Make New Friends but Keep Discord

"I meet a lot of different creatures, each one of them perfect and unique."

- Make New Friends but Keep Discord

"Oh, man. You're really bumming me out. Can you just, like, lower your voice a skosh?"

- To Discord in Make New Friends but Keep Discord

"Um, I need like a few minutes to clear out my chakras before I can hug you from a place of authenticity."

- Make New Friends but Keep Discord