Tree of Fire: A Story of Love and Resilience tells the incredible story of the loss, recovery and the spiritual connection of Baba’s Tree – a once-thriving oak, devastated by fire, that rises from the ashes to offer love and comfort.

The tree is located on a mountaintop in Southern California at Meher Mount, a universal spiritual center dedicated to the spiritual leader Avatar Meher Baba. While visiting in 1956, Meher Baba spent time alone inside the canopy of this coast live oak, and it became a spiritual landmark known as Baba’s Tree.

In December 2017, the Thomas Fire struck Meher Mount. The fire and high winds toppled and badly damaged Baba’s Tree. Volunteers worked together to give the tree the love and care it had given them for years.

Tree of Fire: A Story of Love and Resilience is the story told by the people who nursed the tree back to health and found new and meaningful ways to carry the legacy of Baba’s Tree forward.

Through personal testimonies and breathtaking imagery, the film invites viewers to rediscover their own capacity for healing, transformation, and spiritual awakening.

Credits

Directors: Margaret Magnus and Ben Hoffman
Writer and Producer: Margaret Magnus
Director of Photography and Aerial Cinematography: Ben Hoffman
Executive Producer: Meher Mount Corporation
Editor: Ben Hoffman
Music Supervisor: Ben Hoffman
Second Camera: Barbara Doux, Yuliana Symchych
Motion Design: Andrew Lunhu
Titles: Square Productions
Sound Editor & Re-recording Mixer: Ben Hoffman

Storytellers

Elizabeth Arnold, Resident Caretaker 2002-2009
Cassandra Bramucci, Resident Caretaker 2018
Eric Carlson, Resident Caretaker 2019-2022
Sam L. Ervin, Board President & Guest Caretaker
Buzz Glasky, Resident Caretaker 2013-2019
Ginger Glasky, Resident Caretaker 2013-2019
Billy Goodrum, Resident Caretaker 1999-2002
Pamela Goodrum, Resident Caretaker 1999-2002
Harold Greene, Furniture Maker & Musician
Bing Heckman, Founding Board Member 1989-2007 & Guest Caretaker
Ron Holsey, Board Vice President & Guest Caretaker
Ray Johnston, Resident Caretaker, 2002-2010, Current
Ellen Kwiatkowski, Resident Caretaker 2019-2022
Margaret Magnus, Communications Director
Juan Mendez, Guest Caretaker
Agnes Montano, Board Secretary & Guest Caretaker
Ken Pellman, Volunteer & Advisor
Kristina Somma, Guest Caretaker
Robert Turnage, Board Treasurer & Guest Caretaker
Perry Van Houten, Senior Reporter, Ojai Valley News
Darrel Wilson, Woodworking Artisan