HAVE you ever been so captivated by a tree glistening in the sun that you have felt in awe?

If you answered yes to this question, you have probably been struggling to come to terms with your peculiar hankering for horticulture.

But, no longer do you need to keep your feelings bottled up as there is a way to let the tree know just how much you care.

Well, that is if you live in Melbourne.

As part of the Urban Forest Strategy — implemented to combat the steady decline of trees following a 13 year drought — the city assigned all of the Melbourne’s 77000 trees individual emails.

The idea was residents could use these emails to report trees that had been vandalised or were in a severe state of decline.

Only, people decided to make another use for the email and began writing love letters to their favourite trees.

The chair of Melbourne’s Environment Portfolio Councillor Arron Wood said the response was an unexpected, but welcomed surprise.

“It is unbelievable, we have now received over 3000 emails from all around the world — there have been people from Russia, Germany, Hungary, Singapore, Britain and Hong Kong all confessing their love for trees in Melbourne.”

In order to spread the love, Mr Woods has shared some of the best love letters that have been written to Melbourne’s trees.

Green Leaf Elm, Tree ID 1022165

Dear Green Leaf Elm,

I hope you like living at St. Mary’s. Most of the time I like it too. I have exams coming up and I should be busy studying. You do not have exams because you are a tree. I don’t think that there is much more to talk about as we don’t have a lot in common, you being a tree and such. But I’m glad we’re in this together.

Cheers,

F

Green Leaf Elm, Tree ID 1022165

Hello Green Leaf Elm,

It’s me again (F). I just got my marks for last semester back! On a definitely completely unrelated note, how do you deal with the constant, relentlessly soul-crushing pain of disappointment after disappointment that characterises our lives on Earth? You must be very old, right? So I thought you might know.

Thanks again,

your friend,

F

Western red cedar, Tree ID 1058295

Hi Tree,

Are you worried about being affected by the Greek debt crisis? Should Greece be allowed to stay in the European Union?

Regards,

Troy

Weeping Myrtle, Tree ID 1494392

Hello Weeping Myrtle,

I’m sitting inside near you and I noticed on the urban tree map you don’t have many friends nearby. I think that’s sad so I want you to know I’m thinking of you.

I also want to thank you for providing oxygen for us to breath in the hustle and bustle of the city.

Best Regards,

N.

Golden Elm, Tree ID 1028612

I used to think you were the Magic Faraway tree when I was a child.

Now that I’m an adult, I still look forward to seeing you as I come around the bend after a tedious crawl down Hoddle Street.

A loyal friend always there waiting to say hello

English Elm, Tree ID 1032245

Are you and your fellow English elms enjoying the Ashes series as much as we in England are, and are you giving the native Aussie trees some stick over their team’s performance?

C

Golden Elm, Tree ID 1037148

Dear 1037148,

You deserve to be known by more than a number. I love you.

Always and forever.

Variegated Elm, Tree ID 1033102

Dear Elm, I was delighted to find you alive and flourishing, because a lot of your family used to live in the UK, but they all caught a terrible infection and died.

Do be very careful, and if you notice any unfamiliar insects e-mail an arboriculturist at once.

I miss your characteristic silhouettes and beautifully shaped branches — used to be one of the glories of the English landscape — more than I can say.

Melbourne must be a beautiful city.

Sincere good wishes

D

Mr Woods said while the emails are highly amusing, the team remains vigilant in making sure they only reply to authentic requests.

“The whole point of the project was it would be no cost to council, so we have to ensure people aren’t wasting tax payers’ money to reply to all the love letters,” he said.

“With that said, it’s great that this has been effective in spreading a very important message.”

The Urban Forest Strategy will see 3000 new trees planted in Melbourne each year and since its implementation in 2012, 12000 new trees have been added to the city’s urban landscape.