[Image descriptions:
1. Screenshot of an article titled, ‘When You Give a Tree an Email Address.’ The subtitle reads, ‘The city of Melbourne assigned trees email addresses so citizens could report problems. Instead, people wrote thousands of love letters to their favorite trees.’ A photo above the headline shows a path lined by tall trees whose branches overlap so that the sky is barely visible. The article is by Adrienne Lafrance and was posted on 10 July 2015.
2. Text that says: Then the emails began to arrive. Milman writes that instead of damage reports, people began to write fan mail to trees, complimenting their looks and leaves and telling tales of how they’d helped them survive during inclement meather. Some trees even write back.
3. Text that says:
“My dearest Ulmus,” the message began.
“As I was leaving St. Mary’s College today I was struck, not by a branch, but by your radiant beauty. You must get these messages all the time. You’re such an attractive tree.”
This is an excerpt of a letter someone wrote to a green-leaf elm, one of thousands of messages in an ongoing correspondence between the people of Melbourne, Australia, and the city’s trees.
4. A photo of a tree in front of a tall building, with a text box that says:
hey,
how ya doing?
- me
p.s. would you consider your fingers to be your branches or your roots?
5. A photo of a tree on a bike path, with a text box that says:
Dear Rose Gum,
Over the past year I have cycled by you each day and want you to know how much joy you give me.
No matter the weather or what is happening around you, you are strong, elegant, and beautiful. I wanted you to know.
Love.
6. A photo of a tree by a car park with a text box that says:
Dear Nettle,
I just moved in three months ago and I’m very glad that I can talk to you through this system. I live in the first floor and I can actually see you through my window!
I’m having trouble sleeping at night because of the noise of cars and ambulances at night, hope you’re not suffering that much and be able to have a good sleep.
Thank you for blocking the noises from the street and wish the birds don’t do harm to you. Pleasant to meet you and have a nice day!
Cheers!
7. A photo of a tree in front of a tall building, with a text box that says:
Hello tree.
I don’t actually know you, but recently I’ve been wondering what trees say.
A friend of mine gave me your contact information, so I thought I would go straight to the source.
So here is my question: what would you tell people if you could speak?
8. A photo of a tree in a field by a path, with a text box that says:
Dear beautiful grassland gum,
I know things may get a little glume-y when you only have grasses for company, but today is your day to shine! Happy National Eucalypt Day!
Your friend.
9. A photo of a tree in front of a brick building, with a text box that says:
Hi Tree 1022794,
How’s it going? I walk past you each day at uni, it’s really great to see you out in the sun now that the scaffolding is down around Building 100. Hope it all goes well with the photosynthesis.
All the best.
10. A photo of a tree in a patch of grass by a read, with a text box that says:
Dear Smooth-barked Apple Myrtle,
I am your biggest admirer. I have always wanted to mee you, but tragically, I’m stuck in New York.
I think you are the most handsome tree of them all, tall with an inviting open canopy. I love to just dream of you, the smell of your clusters of white flowers, the sight of your lush, dark green foliage, and feel of your patterned bark.
You inspire me to live life to the fullest, and pursue my dreams; you keep growing despite the terrible tragedies in this world. You are loved and deserve the world.
Love, some person in New York
11. A photo of a tree by a path with a fence, with a text box that says:
Dear Magnificent River Red Gum,
I admire you every day as I walk past you on my way to and from work. You seem to have been around for some time. IS there any chance that you were here for longer than the time of white settlement?
You look to me to be substantially older than any of the other trees around Princes Park. Is this true? Does this entitle you to any special treatment? How old might you be? Hopefully you will outlast me in the land of the living. I am very interested to know more of your history.
Regards and hope you enjoyed the rain this weekend after such a long dry month.
\End description]
