The Christmas Eve Tree by Delia Huddy illustrated by Emily Sutton

A fir tree grows in a crooked fashion so no one will purchase it for Christmas.  A homeless boy finds it, plants it in a cardboard box and brings Christmas joy under the bridge.  Before too long, the boy throws out the browning tree.  A street sweeper sees a green branch on it and plants it, knowing hope remains.
The tree grows and provides shade and life for many creatures and humans.
The last illustration of the page requires careful observation to fully appreciate the story.
-Borrowed from the library.