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Welcome to the home of the Magic Tree on the Internet.
The Magic Tree is a crab apple tree in Columbia, Missouri lit by Will Treelighter every holiday season since 1995. Each year in the fall Will sets to work wrapping every branch with mini lights creating an ever more elaborate spectacle that generates increasing interest from surrounding communities.
The Magic Tree is for your enjoyment but, beyond this, is not without purpose. Please respect others while viewing it, especially the neighbors who graciously give up a measure of tranquility in the neighborhood for being host to the crowds that come to see the Magic Tree. Please exercise patience and courtesy and keep voices low as there may be some sleeping near by in their homes when you arrive.
It is located in south Columbia off Old Plank Rd. The easiest way to find it is to take Forum Blvd. (off Stadium Blvd. by Dairy Queen and Schnucks) and go south all the way to the end of Forum. Turn left on Old Plank Rd. and then turn left again at your next opportunity and you’re there. If it is on you can’t miss it.
The Magic Tree is lit every evening from 5pm to 11pm from Thanksgiving Eve to Epiphany (January 6th). It is being turned off an hour earlier this year to reduce late night noise in the neighborhood and to save some electricity.
Below is the 2008 award winning Sarah’s Story on the Magic Tree by KMOU’s premier story teller Sarah Hill and the skilled videographer Scott Schaefer.
At this site you can:
Find current and past years fliers provided at the Magic Tree on the Magic Tree Page.
View photos taken by Will Treelighter on the Gallery Page.
Read what others have said about the Magic Tree or this site on the Testimonials Page.
Investigate Will Treelighter’s thinking on the Will Treelighter page.
Learn more about the emergence of Maitreya on the Maitreya Page.
Write a note to Will Treelighter on the Contact Page.
Furthermore you can make a donation to help fund the lighting of the Magic Tree. Collecting donations is not the purpose of the Magic Tree, however if you feel so moved, your donation is greatly appreciated and goes a long way to continue the inspiration that the Magic Tree holds for many.
To celebrate the principle of sharing 10% of all donations will be given to the Columbia Chapter of The Alternatives to Violence Project. A group that Will has been involved with for many years. Its main work is to do three day workshops at the correctional center in Boonville, about 10 per year. The workshops are designed to build community among inmates and point out the value of good will toward one another, authorities, outsiders and even enemies through experiential activities, discussions, and role playing the use of Transforming Power. For more information go to www.avpusa.org.
Additionally another 10% goes to Ryan’s Well Foundation. The group, started by the enthusiasm of a 6 year old, has so far built 266 wells in 12 countries bringing clean water to over 435,000 people! For more information go to www.ryanswell.org.
A third 10% will go to the Magic Tree’s neighborhood park, Norvell Park (across the street from the Magic Tree) to help make up for wear and tear on the private park grounds.
A forth 10% goes to Oxfam America. www.oxfamamerica.org
And this year a fifth 10% will go to the Central Asia Institute of 3 cups of Tea fame to help Gregg Mortenson with his work to build schools for well rounded education in Pakistan and Afghanistan www.ikat.org
The other 60% of your donation goes towards purchase of lights and electricity, fliers and the building and maintenance of this web site. Thank you for your support.
Please note that when you click on make a donation you will be taken to a pay pal account for Brighter Days! Corp. This company currently funds the Magic Tree with help from your generous donations.