How to Beat Ulcerated Tree Spirit: Boss Fight Guide

This is a guide on how to beat Ulcerated Tree Spirit, an optional boss in Elden Ring. Read on to learn more about Ulcerated Tree Spirit's strengths, weaknesses, attack patterns, and lore!

Ulcerated Tree Spirit General Info

Stats and Rewards

Ulcerated Tree Spirit
Weakness	Resistance	Immune
Fire Frost	Holy Bleed Scarlet Rot Poison	Madness Instant Death
Affected By	Poison, Scarlet Rot, Bleed, Frost, Sleep
Spirit Ashes Available?	Yes
Rune Rewards	Optional Boss Versions: Fringefolk Hero's Grave: • 15000 Giants' Mountaintop Catacombs: • 18000 Mount Gelmir (Minor Erdtree): • 48000 Mini-Boss Versions: Stormveil Castle: • 4736 Grand Cloister: • 11193 Miquella's Haligtree: • 26460 Leyndell, Ashen Capital: • 19686 • 2 x 18749
Summonable NPCs	None
Locations	Optional Boss Versions: ・Stranded Graveyard, Limgrave ・Giants' Mountaintop Catacombs, Mountaintops of the Giants ・Mount Gelmir (Minor Erdtree), Altus Plateau Mini-Boss Versions: ・Stormveil Castle, Limgrave ・Leyndell, Royal Capital, Altus Plateau ・Miquella's Haligtree, Mountaintops of the Giants ・Grand Cloister, Ainsel River
Item Drops	Optional Boss Versions: Stranded Graveyard: ・Banished Knight Oleg Ashes ・Golden Seed Giants' Mountaintop Catacombs: ・Glovewort Picker's Bell Bearing 2 ・Golden Seed Mount Gelmir (Minor Erdtree): ・Cerulean Hidden Tear ・Leaden Hardtear Mini-Boss Versions: Stormveil, Miquella's Haligtree, Grand Cloister ・Golden Seed Leyndell, Ashen Capital ・None

Ulcerated Tree Spirit Location

Where to Find Optional Boss Locations

Ulcerated Tree Spirits can be found in different locations across The Lands Between.

Fringefolk Hero's Grave

The Fringefolk Hero's Grave is located in the Stranded Graveyard, the first area of the game. To take on this version of the Ulcerated Tree Spirit, you'll need two Stonesword Keys to remove the mist door.

Giants' Mountaintop Catacombs

The Ulcerated Tree Spirit boss fight can also be found in Giants' Mountaintop Catacombs. Head northeast from the Zamor Ruins Site of Grace, then turn further east before reaching the narrow bridge. Drop down to find the entrance to the Giants' Mountaintop Catacombs tucked into the rock wall.

Mt. Gelmir Near the Minor Erdtree

Found in Mt. Gelmir near the Minor Erdtree. Check the map below for directions to the Minor Erdtree in Mt. Gelmir.

From the Ninth Mt. Gelmir Campsite Site of Grace, jump into the Spirit Spring and go along the edge of the cliff (avoiding the boss). Head down the natural rock bridge, and find the Road of Iniquity Site of Grace under the land that leads to Volcano Manor. From here, it's a straight shot east to the Minor Erdtree and the Ulcerated Tree Spirit boss fight.

Where to Find Mini-Boss Locations

Stormveil Castle

An Ulcerated Tree Spirit can be encountered in Stormveil Castle. It will be at the bottom of a pit that is accessed by a door near the Liftside Chamber Site of Grace.

Grand Cloister

An Ulcerated Tree Spirit will be found near a waterfall on the north side of the Grand Cloister in Ainsel River.

Miquella's Haligtree

From the Drainage Channel Site of Grace, head back inside the Haligtree and go up a hill where you'll spot a Lake of Rot nearby. An Ulcerated Tree Spirit can be found hiding here.

Leyndell, Ashen Capital

These Ulcerated Tree Spirits can only be fought once Leyndell, Royal Capital has turned into Leyndell, Ashen Capital.

From the Forbidden Lands Site of Grace, take the elevator back up the tower and cross the bridge going to the capital. After going down another elevator, you'll notice one of these mini-bosses roaming an open area. Two more Ulcerated Tree Spirits will be hiding in the sands of the same area.

When to Fight Ulcerated Tree Spirit

Optional Bosses

Mini-Bosses

These bosses will prove to be a challenge at any level. While their moves won't change, each of their instances will have varying amounts of health and damage dealt. Avoid fighting them until you've reached the Recommended Levels.

How to Beat Ulcerated Tree Spirit

Tips for Beating Ulcerated Tree Spirit
Equip Items that Boost your Holy Damage Resistance
Back Away when the Ulcerated Tree Spirit Starts Burning Up
Attack the Ulcerated Tree Spirit From the Side
Fight the Ulcerated Tree Spirits in Leyndell, Ashen Capital One at a Time
Exploit its Weakness to Fire and Frost

Equip Items that Boost your Holy Damage Resistance

Aside from its melee attacks, the Ulcerated Tree Spirits will often spew yellow flames at you that deal Holy damage. Use items that boost your Holy damage negation such as the Haligdrake Talisman and the Holyproof Dried Liver to increase your survivability.

You should also prepare Preserving Boluses for the Ulcerated Tree Spirits encountered in Miquella's Haligtree and Grand Cloister since these will be surrounded by Rot.

Back Away when the Ulcerated Tree Spirit Starts Burning Up

During the fight, spurts of fire will start popping out of the Ulcerated Tree Spirit. This indicates that it's about to unleash a powerful explosion and you should get as much distance away from it as possible. This will always happen once you've halved its health.

Attack the Ulcerated Tree Spirit From the Side

Avoid staying in front of the Ulcerated Tree Spirit since majority of its attacks will be targeted here and the movements of its head are erratic. Try circling it until you reach its side and focus your attacks here.

Mages will want to avoid charged spells due to the speed of this enemy. Great spells to use would be Adula's Moonblade and Rennala's Full Moon. Freezing Mist will also be an effective defensive spell since it deals Frost damage.

Fight the Ulcerated Tree Spirits in Leyndell, Ashen Capital One at a Time

While there will be three of these bosses in Leyndell, Ashen Capital, you don't have to fight them all at once. Lure the first one away from open area to avoid spawning the other two. After this, carefully approach one side of the area to spawn the second. Stick to this side to avoid spawning the third.

If you do end up spawning multiple ones at a time, you can just deaggro them by leaving the boss area. Separate one from the others by hitting it with a ranged weapon.

Exploit its Weakness to Fire and Frost

Deal additional damage to this enemy by using Fire or Frost weapons. It's fairly vulnerable to these and will help end the fight quicker.

If you don't have these weapon types, you can also coat yours in Fire Grease or Freezing Grease

Ulcerated Tree Spirit Attack Patterns

Melee Attacks

Melee Attack Variations
Tail Swipe: If you find yourself within striking distance of its tail when it starts this attack, you can roll right through it with minimal or no damage.
Lunge Attack: Ulcerated Tree Spirit will leap up and try to grab you in its mouth. Roll to the side or back when you see it flying through the air, then strike its neck.
Neck Slam: This attack is easily dodged to the right. Take the opportunity to punish Ulcerated Tree Spirit as it takes a moment to recover from this attack.

Flame Attacks

Flame Attack Variations
Flame Breath: Watch for the Ulcerated Tree Spirit's mouth to glow yellow to know this attack is coming. Spring to its flank where you won't be hit by the flames and get in an attack or two.
Explosion: When its health is low enough, the Ulcerated Tree Spirit will glow bright with Holy fire. This is your cue to get back, as the radius of the explosion and ensuing flames is huge.

Elden Ring Related Guides

List of All Bosses

DLC Bosses

Main Bosses

Optional Bosses

Mini-Bosses

Hostile NPCs and Invaders