Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Tree That Some Say Inspired Dr. Seuss' 'The Lorax' Topples
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 5 years ago on
June 19, 2019

Share

SAN DIEGO — A century-old tree with a long trunk and bushy branches that some believe was the inspiration for fictional Truffula trees in Dr. Seuss’ “The Lorax” has fallen in a coastal San Diego park.

“He looked up at one of the trees, and said, ‘That’s my tree. They’ve stolen my tree.’ So that’s where that came from.”Audrey Geisel, Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel’s wife
Officials are investigating why the wind-swept Monterey cypress toppled in Ellen Browning Scripps Park last week, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported Monday. “The tree was not dead at the time it fell, and with the exception of some stressing due to termites, was generally in good shape,” said Parks and Recreation spokesman Tim Graham.
According to local legend, the tree inspired the “The Lorax” by Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel, who lived nearby and worked in an office with a sweeping view of the coastline.
But there are no facts to back up the lore. His wife, Audrey Geisel, told the La Jolla Village News in 2012 that the idea for Truffula trees in the 1971 environmental fable came from an Africa trip.
“He looked up at one of the (local) trees, and said, ‘That’s my tree. They’ve stolen my tree.’ So that’s where that came from,” Audrey Geisel said.

Officials Plan to Salvage Some of the Wood

Geisel told interviewers over the years that “The Lorax” was inspired by the anger he felt as he watched homes and condominiums being carved into the hillsides below him. He called the book “one of the few things I ever set out to do that was straight propaganda,” according to the Union-Tribune.
In it, the title character tries to stop the Once-ler from chopping down Truffula Trees so that their tufts (“much softer than silk”) can be used to manufacture Thneeds, a classically Seussian word for all manner of worthless merchandise.
“I speak for the trees,” the Lorax says.
Geisel, who died in 1991, would often claim “The Lorax” was his favorite among the 48 books that he wrote, the newspaper said.
Officials plan to salvage some of the wood and repurpose it, and a replacement tree will be planted, Graham said.

DON'T MISS

Easy Time-Saving Tips for Classic Easter Dishes

DON'T MISS

Did You Fall for These Well-Known April Fools’ Day Jokes?

DON'T MISS

Country Star Toby Keith Died Before Being Told He Was Elected to Hall of Fame

DON'T MISS

New Book Explores the Myths, Truths and Legacy of the Macho Man

DON'T MISS

Beyoncé’s Country Album Will Be Called ‘Act II: Cowboy Carter’

DON'T MISS

Eric Carmen, the Raspberries Frontman and ‘All by Myself’ and ‘Hungry Eyes’ Singer, Dies at 74

DON'T MISS

Oscar Moments: Talk of War & Peace, a Coronation for Nolan, and Ken-Demonium for Gosling

DON'T MISS

Dirt-Cheap Gardening Secrets

DON'T MISS

Dirt-Cheap Gardening Secrets

DON'T MISS

WWE, a Social Media Powerhouse, Tops 100 Million Subscribers on YouTube

No data was found

Trump Criticizes Judge and His Daughter After Gag Order in Hush-Money Case

12 hours ago

CA Insurance Market ‘in Chaos,’ Says Former Insurance Commissioner. Can Lara Fix It?

12 hours ago

Stock Market Today: S&P 500 Sets a Record After Wall Streets Breaks Out of Its Lull

13 hours ago

House Speaker Mike Johnson Headed to Fresno on April 4

13 hours ago

Bredefeld, Smittcamp Debate the Salary of Valley Children’s CEO

13 hours ago

CA’s Liberal Government Has a Long History of Caving to Special Interests

13 hours ago

Corrupt Process? Bullard, Edison Parents Blast Handling of Superintendent Search

13 hours ago

Police Had About 90 Seconds to Stop Traffic Before Baltimore Bridge Fell. 6 Workers Are Feared Dead

15 hours ago

NBC Has Cut Ties With Former RNC Head Ronna McDaniel After Employee Objections, Some on the Air

15 hours ago

Here Are Some Numbers That Will Help You Get Your March Madness Fix for the Sweet 16

15 hours ago

Ukrainian Navy Says a Third of Russian Warships in the Black Sea Have Been Destroyed or Disabled

KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine has sunk or disabled a third of all Russian warships in the Black Sea in just over two years of war, the navy spokes...

6 hours ago

6 hours ago

Ukrainian Navy Says a Third of Russian Warships in the Black Sea Have Been Destroyed or Disabled

Composite image of President Trump and Devin Nunes
10 hours ago

Wired Wednesday: How Going to Work for Trump Turned Devin Nunes Into a Millionaire

11 hours ago

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, Democrats’ VP Pick in 2000, Dead at 82

12 hours ago

Trump Criticizes Judge and His Daughter After Gag Order in Hush-Money Case

12 hours ago

CA Insurance Market ‘in Chaos,’ Says Former Insurance Commissioner. Can Lara Fix It?

13 hours ago

Stock Market Today: S&P 500 Sets a Record After Wall Streets Breaks Out of Its Lull

13 hours ago

House Speaker Mike Johnson Headed to Fresno on April 4

13 hours ago

Bredefeld, Smittcamp Debate the Salary of Valley Children’s CEO

MENU

CONNECT WITH US

Search

Send this to a friend