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The Forest of Cheem were a group of intelligent humanoid, trees, descended from the rain forests of Earth.
Two hundred years after the start of the experiment, the Forest had named itself, taking the title Cheem from its word for water.
Biology
And while legends persist of a mighty, invisible Time War, it is said that the Forest alone observed the secret battle and wept.
The trees of Cheem were humanoids with large, intricate heads and wood-like skin. They had retractable vines on their arms, which they weren't supposed to show in public. The trees of Cheem were made of wood and are therefore highly flammable. (DW: The End of the World)
Culture
They do not respect respect or understand technology...
The Forest of Cheem did not understand technology, referring to computers as "metal minds" or "metal machines"; however they were known to use it. The kept clippings of their relatives, occasionally giving them as gifts. According to the Doctor, they were of huge financial importance due to their land holdings and forests on various planets; and they have "roots" everywhere. (DW: The End of the World)
History
The origins of the Forest of Cheem go all the way back to the Middle Blue Period of the planet Earth.
During the Middle Blue Period of Earth, the Brothers of Hame brought a 500 x 300 mile plot of trees from the rain forests on Earth to the Panjassic Asteroid Field, where the trees' evolution was accelerated from a billion years to just three years. Collectively the Forest of Cheem turned against their creators and fled into space in spaceships made from bark. Two hundred years after the experiments, they had chosen the name Forest of Cheem for themselves, taking the name from their word for water. (REF: Doctor Who: Monsters and Villains) Cheem was also the name for the planet where the Forest would live. (TDL: The Game of Death)
5,000 years later, the Forest of Cheem were considered to be part of the Higher Species and were witnesses to the last great Time War.(REF: Doctor Who DVD Files & Doctor Who: Monsters and Villains) They were aware of the course of the war and its history-changing effects and were mortified by the bloodshed. (DWA: Doctor Who Annual 2006)
During the destruction of Earth in 5,000,000,000, a group of trees were found on Platform One, due to the Forest of Cheem's wealth. The group of Trees seen on Platform One was led by Jabe Ceth Ceth Jafe and also included Coffa and Lute. (DW: The End of the World)
At some point after the destruction of Earth, Coffa and Lute were being menaced by some unknown force who was hunting down the survivors of Platform One. When they tried to warn the Doctor and Rose Tyler, they were discovered by Montodon Slemm, who intended to captured them for resale. Though the Doctor and Rose were able to stop Montodon, Coffa and Lute were captured by the Elth of Balhoon in the confusion. (DWBIT: Growing Terror) Elth held the survivors of Platform One responsible for his brother's death and planned to kill them in revenge. When the truth came out, Coffa and Lute agreed to plant a garden in remembrance. (DWBIT: Reunion of Fear)