Abstract: The invention comprises a method and apparatus for managing a multicast tree. Specifically, the method comprises receiving at least one request for modifying the multicast tree where the at least one request is associated with at least one user device, determining at least one multicast tree change in response to the at least one request for modifying the multicast tree where the at least one multicast tree change is operable for modifying the multicast tree according to the at least one request, and generating at least one message operable for implementing the at least one multicast tree change, the at least one request and the at least one message implemented in a manner tending to minimize consumption of network resources.