People write love letters to their favourite trees

You might not think it, but sometimes, there’s nothing more romantic than a love story between a person and their favourite tree.

Melbourne had the interesting idea to give an email address to each tree in the city’s urban forest so that residents could report possible problems, like a dangerous-looking branch.

It was all a part of a program created in 2013 in hopes of maintaining the city’s trees.

But instead, what they received were confessions of love and admiration for the tall and majestic pieces of nature, reports City Lab.

One, directed to a Golden Elm tree reads, “I’m so sorry you’re going to die soon. It makes me sad when trucks damage your low hanging branches.”

And another, “Thank you for giving us oxygen. Thank you for being so pretty. You are the gift that keeps on giving.”

The messages did not stop there, however; some people emailed their favourite trees solely to chat, and sometimes to discuss politics.

“Hi tree,” an emailer named Troy wrote to a Red Cedar. “Are you worried about being affected by debt crisis?”

And sometimes these emails were even met with responses.

“I hope you like living at St. Mary’s,” one email read. “I have exams coming up and I should be studying. You don’t have exams because you’re 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 did this together.”

In response, the emailer known as “F” received this:

“Hello F. I do like living here. I hope you do well in your exams. Research has shown that nature can influence the way people learn in a positive way, so I hope I inspire your learning.”

Chair of Melbourne’s Environment Portfolio, Councillor Arron Wood told City Lab that it was an “unintended, but positive consequence.”

“The email interaction reveals the love Melburnians have for our trees,” Wood said.

As one emailer put it, we’re “struck” – not by a branch, but by the trees’ “radiant beauty.”