Forrest "Little Tree" Carter
The titular character of the novel, Forrest, or Little Tree as he is frequently referred to in the novel, starts out at the beginning of the novel as a 5 year old boy who is orphaned and sent to live with his grandparents.
Granpa
Little Tree's Scottish-Cherokee grandfather whom he is sent to live with. Granpa runs a moonshine business in town and teaches Little Tree. He passes away later into the novel after he is injured from falling down.
Granma
Little Tree's Cherokee grandmother whom he is sent to live with. Granma, along with Granpa, teaches Little Tree the ways of the native americans but at the same time exposes him to the culture of the white americans.
Willow John
Willow is a friend of Little Tree's Granpa who is also a Native American. He is the one who takes Little Tree out of the government school he is forcibly sent to.
Mr Wine
Another of Little Tree's grandparents' friends, Mr Wine frequently showers Little Tree with sweets and gifts whenever he visits.
Pine Billy
Pine Billy is also a friends of Little Tree's Grandparents. He appears from time to time and plays the fiddle.
