Tree-Skimmers

• Type: Broomstick (Leisure/Family Model)
• Owners: Not applicable; sold commercially at retailers like Quality Quidditch Supplies.
• Maker: Unknown

The canonical texts do not provide a specific physical description of Tree-Skimmers. They are referred to as “flying brushes for the whole family”. In 1993, a pair of them was seen on display in the window of Quality Quidditch Supplies in Diagon Alley, suggesting they were sold as a standard product.

Tree-Skimmers are a brand or model of broomstick designed for recreational or family use. The description “for the whole family” implies they are likely safer, slower, and easier to handle than high-performance racing brooms like the Nimbus series or the Firebolt. Their primary purpose is almost certainly leisure flying rather than competitive Quidditch. Their name, “Tree-Skimmer,” might suggest they are designed for flying at low altitudes, possibly for touring the countryside.

The specific history of the Tree-Skimmer, including its inventor or year of creation, is unknown. However, their description as “celebrated” in 1993 indicates that they were a well-known, established, and popular model within the wizarding world by that time.

Tree-Skimmers are mentioned once in the series. In the summer of 1993, Harry Potter saw a pair of them displayed in the window of Quality Quidditch Supplies alongside the newly released Firebolt. Their presence serves to broaden the reader's understanding of broomstick culture, showing that not all brooms are built for sport and that there is a significant market for recreational, family-oriented flying equipment. They provide a mundane contrast to the elite, high-speed Firebolt which is the central focus of Harry's attention and desire.

The Tree-Skimmer is mentioned only in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and does not appear in supplementary texts such as Quidditch Through the Ages, which details the history and models of many other famous broomsticks. They have not been specifically identified or depicted in the film adaptations or featured in other media.