What do the trees in the second ring of Circle 7 represent?

The trees in the second ring of Circle 7 represent the souls of those who committed suicide. In Dante’s "Inferno," this specific circle is designated for the violent against themselves, and their punishment is uniquely symbolic. The souls are transformed into twisted and gnarled trees, which reflects both their rejection of their own lives and the pain of their earthly existence. They are unable to speak and are tormented when their branches are torn, emphasizing the eternal suffering endured for their choices. This vivid imagery illustrates Dante's belief in the moral consequences of taking one’s own life, where the act of suicide leads to a perpetual state of despair and alienation from both the human community and divine grace.