The Urban Forest Strategy in Melbourne began in 2013, with the intention to restore the citys connection with its natural side. A project established for the public to report issues with trees in their local council has taken a curious turn, after every tree in the city was given its own email address.
Thousands of trees were given ID numbers and email addresses so locals could report any problems to any tree, and soon love letters to the trees began to pour in from around the world. From Melbournians thanking the trees for providing air, to a child asking what it feels like when leaves fall off, the trees have received over 3,000 emails. Coming from as far as Russia, Germany, the US, the UK, Hungary, Moldova, Singapore, Brazil, Denmark and Hong Kong, the letters often ask questions of the trees.
“How old are you?” is one commonly asked , while other writers request photos of the trees they are conversing with. The most emailed tree is a Golden Elm on busy Punt Road, who was described by one person as The Magic Faraway Tree, from Enid Blytons childhood classic.
“You are my favorite tree in all of Melbourne! Even if you do need a little bit of help under that great leafy canopy”, wrote one nature enthusiast.
“Do you remember when I used to drive by you?” asked L in their letter.
“You are my favorite tree, even though you make me stoop over during my morning run when you grow too big”, emailed another to the Golden Elm.
Sometimes if people are so lucky, the trees respond to questions asked in emails. “So lovely to be appreciated. I am lucky to be well looked after”, the Golden Elm wrote in response to one letter.
2013年,墨尔本市发起了“城市森林战略”,旨在让城市更具自然气息。通过该项目,公众可以反映其所在市政区的树木问题。自从城中所有树木都有了专属邮箱地址后,事情就发生了奇妙的转变。
数千棵树均有自己的标识号和电子邮箱地址,所以当地人可以向任何一棵树反映任何问题。不久之后,写给树的情书铺天盖地,从全世界各个角落寄了过来。从墨尔本人感谢树木提供了清新空气,到儿童问当树叶飘落时树是什么感觉,这些树收到了3 000多封电子邮件。它们来自遥远的俄罗斯、德国、美国、英国、匈牙利、摩尔多瓦、新加坡、巴西、丹麦和中国的香港等地,这些邮件里经常出现对树的问询。
其中最常见的一个问题是:“今年多大啦?”而有些人会向自己正在交流的树木索要树照。位于繁忙的普特路的金叶榆收到的邮件最多,有人将它描述为安迪·布莱顿儿童经典作品中的“远方的魔法树”。
一位自然爱好者写道:“你的树冠太浓密了,确实需要那么一点点的帮助,不过,你还是墨尔本城中我最爱的树!”
L在信中问:“还记得我过去常常开车从你身旁驶过吗?”
还有一封给金叶榆的信写道:“每天晨跑时,我不得不从你庞大的身躯下弯腰而过,尽管如此,你却是我最爱的树。”
如果你足够幸运,这些树还会给你回信答疑呢。金叶榆在一封回信中写道:“被欣赏的感觉如此妙不可言。我很幸运能被照顾得无微不至。”