The Spirit Tree was a commemoration project for the 2011 Joplin Tornado. The project was created using a tree that stood the tornado despite the brick buildings around it that were destroyed. The tree died soon after but remained standing. It was painted after the fashion of Native American Spirit Sticks and was dedicated to all the victims, survivors, and volunteers. 

The project was headed by Dolores and Ashley Bilke with additional help from the rest of the Bilke family and Tank Public Art. 

More information may be found here.