A distributed tree protocol is provided for managing computing devices that form a peer-to-peer overlay network, and for modifying data that is synchronized between the devices. A method for modifying the data includes representing data in a tree structure. The tree structure includes at least one tree node identified by a tree node ID, the tree node ID including a numerical value representing a path from a root node to the at least one node. The root node and the tree structure are identified by a root node ID. The device can send or receive a peer-to-peer message with an other computing device. The message includes a format value specifying a format of the numerical value, the root node ID, an operation value specifying modification of the data, and at least one tree node ID associated with the modification of the data.