If you grew up reading Dr. Seuss, you likely remember the tall, spindly “Truffula” trees from The Lorax, with striped trunks and colorful pompom foliage. People have long debated Theodor Seuss Geisel’s inspiration for these beloved trees, with some believing that a California Monterey cypress was responsible for capturing his creative attention.
But no matter the origin, one thing’s for certain. The American West has its own version of Truffulas: Joshua trees, ancient, otherworldly, and in danger of winking out.