Puzzle of the Day

The four trees above* all grow in San Diego, where a famous children's author lived. (UC San Diego named their main library after him.)

Take the shape of the first tree, give it some bright colors like the other three, and you can see how that author was inspired to create what FICTIONAL tree species?

*In case you're wondering, the trees are a Monterey cypress, a golden medallion tree, a palo borracho ("drunken stick"), and a jacaranda.

Check back on Monday for the answer, a shoutout to all the solvers, and a new puzzle!

Yesterday's puzzle:

What is the connection between these three images? Hint (highlight to view): It's a U. S. state.

Answer: The BART station is Montgomery; the sculpture is an Alexander Calder mobile; the Simpsons character is Marge's sister Selma; and the three words in pink are all cities in Alabama.

Congratulations to yesterday's solvers Andrew, Will, Lucia, Charlie, and Josh Moore, as well as teachers Zachary, Dr. Yetman, and Mr. Gregg!