The Learning Tree is a 1969 film which tells the story of a young African American growing up in a rural setting in the early part of the 20th century, when racial discrimination was a social norm, legally sanctioned in parts of the United States.

It stars Kyle Johnson , playing Newton Winger, Alex Clarke , Marcus, Estelle Evans , Dana Elcar and Mira Waters .

The movie was written and directed by Gordon Parks, in adaptation from his novel.

This was the first major studio feature film directed by an African-American. The film has been deemed "culturally significant" by the Library of Congress and selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry.