'dendrolater' originates from Greek elements: 'dendron' (Greek) meaning 'tree' and 'latreia/latēr' (Greek) meaning 'worship' or 'one who worships'.

'dendrolater' was formed in Modern English by compounding the Greek prefix 'dendro-' (from 'dendron') with a worship-related suffix modeled on words like 'idolater' (from Greek 'eidōlolatrēs'), yielding 'dendrolater'.

Initially and historically it has meant 'one who worships trees' (a practitioner of dendrolatry); this basic sense has been retained in modern usage.