SOME might think they are barking mad, but sappy Melburnians have started emailing trees.

And sometimes they reply.

In what is believed to be a world first, Melbourne City Council says all of its 70,000 trees can be contacted and wants more people to join the “correspondence program” set up to connect people with the green environment.

So far, emails seen by the Herald Sun include conversations about moving overseas, Melbourne’s weather and even the Brownlow.

One emailer told a tree: “I am stuck inside and am so jealous of you soaking up the sun. You seem to be having a ball out there.”

The Chinese elm replied: “Sorry that you are stuck inside. I am really enjoying stretching my stomata and giving my chloroplasts a good workout. I spent the weekend well hydrated and preparing for the summer ahead.”

Tree-lover Katelyn Davey, 17, said it was a novel idea and she would consider contacting a city tree.

“I love having trees in the city because they break up the concrete landscape and brighten up the place,” she said.

media_camera Branch out - send a message. media_camera One of the email exchanges.

The concept is the brainchild of the City of Melbourne’s urban landscapes team.

Manager Ian Shears said 140 people had taken part.

“Rather than having a generic email point, the ability to email each tree was something that we thought would be a great positive,” Mr Shears said.

“Trees are probably the most greening element we have in cities. People connect with trees. In an increasing urbanised city nature becomes more and more important.”

Mr Shears said the city already had a complete tree database including details on each tree’s life expectancy, species, and an ID, allowing the program to cost very little.

Staff now get one email a fortnight and respond on behalf of the trees.

“While in some instances there’s a lot of humour it shouldn’t be viewed flippantly. It’s important that the council hears the values of the community. They tell us what they think and it really aids us in doing our job,” he said.

Don Parsons, president of Collins Street Precinct Group, which represents 153 businesses, questioned the need for the project and described it as bizarre.

“Are they off their medication? I think I need to have a cold shower,” Mr Parsons said.

“Give the money to the Salvos if they’ve got that money to spend. This sort of thing has to cost money.”

The City of Melbourne plans to plant an additional 30,000 trees within the next decade to double the city’s tree canopy coverage to 40 per cent.

christopher.gillett@news.com.au

Twitter: Chris_Gillett_