SOLVED. Children's Picture book. Life of a Tree book. [s]

[Rebecca]

Book written in story format about the life cycle of a tree. It begins with a seedling...possibly planted by a squirrel. It tells how the tree grows and the lives of some of the creatures like owls and squirrels that live in it. It ends with the tree rotting on the ground and a seedling beginning to grow from an seed or nut.

It could be an Oak tree?

The book is older. I read it in the 80's and it wasn't new then.
It was a tall hardcover book...like Paddle to the Sea.

[S G]

It doesn’t fully match but The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

[Rebecca]

S G wrote: "It doesn’t fully match but The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein"

Thank you for the suggestion. It is not that book, unfortunately, and does not have humans in the story.

[Capn]

Could it be The Dead Tree a.k.a. The Gift of the Tree?


"Award-winning author Alvin Tresselt's classic story about the cycle of life is beautifully illustrated and an excellent resource for families.
The Gift of the Tree reveals the role of an ancient oak tree in the cycle of nature as it dies and returns to the earth, providing nourishment for new life all around it.
Originally published in 1972 under the title The Dead Tree, this story about the cycle of nature has never been more timely. Henri Sorensen’s exquisite paintings for this reillustrated edition capture all the beauty and power of the tree’s transformations.
As School Library Journal commented: "The interdependence of plant and animal life is clearly evident, including both those that seek its shelter and those that hasten the decaying process to prepare the soil for new life. The original text stands the test of time, reaching its audience with power and emotion as it directs attention to the forces of nature at work.""

OpenLibrary has it: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL44535...

[Rebecca]

It is The Dead Tree by Alvin Tresselt!
Thank you for helping me solve this mystery!

[Capn]

Pleasure. :)