Tree Huggers
- Alessandro Pennini
- Jun 4, 2016
- 2 min read
Melburnians talk to trees in an effort to get back to their roots...
While the traditional show of appreciation for tree is usually a hug, Melburnians have shown their love through more modern means: email.
“I watch you from the window at work”, user Elise wrote, commending a large London Plane Tree. “But I’ve noticed a large blue piece of plastic caught in your branches”
One user complimented a tree on its generous canopy of shade. Another user joked about being stuck in a tree and sent an email to the large birch asking if it would let him down so he could go home.
The ability to email trees was not what the City of Melbourne had in mind when they began the Urban Forestry Program. The email program was originally intended to allow residents to report damage to trees. Instead, Melburnians took to showing their appreciation for the trees by sending them fan mail. Messages range from expressions of admiration, humorous jabs and even observations on life. While it may not have been the expected response, Melbourne City Councillor Arron Wood (no pun intended) says it’s a positive consequence.
“The emails show Melburnians know and respect the importance of trees in reducing heat in our city and increasing Melbourne’s liveability.”
Over 3000 emails have been sent to trees - large and small - as residents and international residents reach out to the environment around them. Every tree has a contact ID, a biography and is located on an immense interactive map. Over 70,000 trees can be contacted through email.
As Melburnians reach out to the trees around them, the trees have begun to talk back – through email of course.
“Hi Elise, Thank you for your lovely words, I might ask someone to get rid of that plastic for me!” – Your London Plane
“Some said we were wasting money, but the trees were always going to have individual ID numbers anyway. So it was only logical we’d assign the ID numbers to an email which connects these trees to the community,” said Mr Wood. While many of the emails are “highly amusing” Woods said that the Urban Forestry team makes sure to 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.”
The Urban Forestry program - launched in 2007 - takes volunteers to survey and catalogue the damage done to Melbourne’s trees by the thirteen-year drought. If damaged, trees are marked for replanting and replacement.
Many of Melbourne’s historic trees were planted during the 1800’s and are now beginning to enter the end of their useful lives. In the next 20 years, nearly 50 per cent of all the trees in the city of Melbourne will be lost to old age and the change will be noticeable. Streetscapes will change, iconic trees will disappear and the familiar foliage we all know will soon be gone. The program aims to increase tree canopy to soak up carbon dioxide.
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