Tree in the Trail facts for kids
Tree in the Trail is a children's book from 1942. It was written and illustrated by an American author named Holling C. Holling. This book tells an interesting story about a special tree and the history that unfolds around it.
Contents
About the Book
This book is known for its unique way of sharing history. It combines a simple story with facts about the past. Holling C. Holling was famous for writing and drawing his own books. His stories often mixed adventure with learning about nature and history.
The Story of the Tree
The main character in Tree in the Trail is a single, tall cottonwood tree. The story begins in the year 1610. At this time, the tree is just a small sapling, a very young tree. A boy from the Kansa Native American tribe finds it. The Kansa people were a group of Native Americans who lived in the central plains of North America.
The book follows the life of this cottonwood tree. It stands in a place that later becomes part of the famous Santa Fe Trail. As the tree grows, it sees many important events happen around it.
What the Tree Sees
Over many years, the cottonwood tree witnesses a lot of history.
- Buffalo Migrations: Huge herds of buffalo pass by the tree. These animals were very important to Native American tribes.
- Warring Tribes: Different Native American tribes sometimes fought battles near the tree.
- Coming of Europeans: The tree sees the arrival of new people. First, Spanish explorers and settlers come to the area. Later, French trappers arrive, looking for animal furs.
- Trade Caravans: The Santa Fe Trail becomes a busy route. Long lines of wagons, called caravans, travel past the tree. These caravans carry goods for trade between different places.
The Santa Fe Trail
The Santa Fe Trail was a very important route in American history. It was a trade path that connected Independence, Missouri with Santa Fe, New Mexico. The trail was used from 1821 until 1880. It helped people move goods and ideas across the country. Many different people, including traders, soldiers, and settlers, traveled on this trail.
The Tree's Final Journey
Eventually, the old cottonwood tree dies. But its story does not end there. The wood from the tree is used to make an ox-yoke. An ox-yoke is a wooden bar that connects two oxen together. This allows them to pull a wagon or a plow. In this way, the tree continues its journey. It travels down the very same Santa Fe Trail it watched over for so many years.
This book helps young readers understand history. It shows how one small part of nature can be connected to big events.
