The tree thought to have inspired Dr. Seuss’ classic 1971 children’s book “The Lorax” has fallen.

The Monterey Cypress tree was located at Ellen Browning Scripps Park in La Jolla, California, the seaside community where Springfield children’s author Theodor Seuss Geisel lived from 1948 until his death in 1991. He lived near the park and could see the tree from his home.

It’s not yet known what caused the tree to fall, KSWB-TV in San Diego reported. The tree was estimated to have been between 80 and 100 years old.

Park staff will look into planting a replacement in the area, the TV station reported.

In “The Lorax,” Geisel penned a fable warning of environmental ruin.

It was adapted into a television cartoon in 1972 and an animated feature film 40 year later.

Geisel wrote more than 45 books during his lifetime and won a Pulitzer Prize. More than 600 million copies of his Dr. Seuss books have been sold and his works have been translated into more than 20 languages.

He is remembered in his hometown of Springfield with the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum and the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden at the Quadrangle. It includes a statue of the Lorax.