Red is a 216-year-old northern red oak tree possessing both male and female characteristics. Acting as a passive, optimistic observer in the neighborhood, Red strictly adheres to the natural rule of never speaking to humans. Red serves as the community wishtree, bearing the weight of human hopes tied to their branches every May 1st, while providing physical shelter in their hollows for generations of local wildlife.

Bongo is an outspoken, pessimistic crow who takes up residence in Red's branches. Unlike her rooted friend, Bongo actively engages with the world through flight and mimicry, frequently swooping around the neighborhood to observe its inhabitants. She operates as a sarcastic but fiercely loyal companion who embraces her own mischievous nature.

Samar is a ten-year-old Muslim girl whose family recently moved into the neighborhood. Facing bullying and xenophobia from her peers, she finds solace in the quiet company of the natural world, sneaking out at night to sit under Red's branches. She is deeply gentle, observant, and longs to make a friend in her hostile new environment.

Stephen is a young boy living in the green house next to Red. While his parents keep their distance from Samar's family amid the neighborhood's tense climate, Stephen shows quiet signs of empathy and curiosity. He represents a potential bridge between the divided households.

Francesca is the current owner of the property where Red is rooted. A descendant of the neighborhood's early immigrants, she views the local Wishing Day tradition as a nuisance. She considers Red primarily as a disruption that threatens her home's plumbing and pathways.

Maeve is a young Irish immigrant who arrived in the neighborhood in 1848. Orphaned and alone, she works tirelessly cooking and cleaning while offering her innate gifts for nursing the sick and injured. Her deep desire for connection and love prompts her to start the neighborhood's wishtree tradition.

Amadora is a baby of Italian descent who is left in the sheltering hollow of the oak tree. Adopted by Maeve, her name means "the gift of love" in Italian. She represents the blending of cultures in the neighborhood and becomes a beloved member of the early community.

FreshBakedBread is a mother skunk residing in the neighborhood. Like all skunks, she chose her name based on a pleasant smell. She is a pragmatic mother who tries to navigate the tight living quarters and territorial disputes among the different animal species sheltering near the oak tree.

BigYou is a raccoon mother raising her babies, all simply named "You," in one of Red's hollows. She is fierce, proud of her crafty children, and highly territorial, frequently bickering with the other animal mothers who share the tree.

HairySpiders is an opossum mother living in Red's branches. She is tasked with raising her brood, including her baby Flash, and defending their natural instinct to play dead when faced with the derision of more aggressive neighbors like the raccoons.

Flash, short for Flashlight, is a baby opossum living in the oak tree. Like all young opossums, his primary defense mechanism is playing dead, a skill he is still learning to time correctly under the stressful coaching of the older animals.

Agnes is an owl mother who shares the nesting space within Red's hollows. She is cautious and continually assesses the safety of her environment for her babies, especially the anxious owlet Harold.

Harold is the smallest baby in the owl family residing in Red. He is a profound worrier, easily unsettled by changes in the environment or threats to his home in the oak tree.

Squibbles is a squirrel who lived in Red's branches during the mid-nineteenth century. He shared a special, friendly relationship with Maeve, frequently receiving table scraps from her and attempting to steal the wish-fabrics for his nest.

Sandy is a local police officer who responds to the neighborhood disturbances. Familiar with the area and its residents, Sandy takes a practical approach to investigating the threats while navigating Francesca's complaints about the tree.

Max is a police officer in the town who assists with the investigation into the vandalism of the oak tree. He has previously visited the property to rescue Francesca's wayward kittens.

Dave is the head tree-cutter hired by Francesca. He directs his crew with a megaphone and operates the chainsaws, though he displays a willingness to halt his work when faced with unexpected wildlife behavior.