09 Jan When Words Take Root
“My dearest,” one letter begins. “I hope you are enjoying the sun today. Thank you for being there to listen. I needed someone to talk to, and you seemed like the perfect companion.”
This might sound like the start of a letter to a cherished friend, but it’s actually addressed to a tree. In Melbourne, Australia, over 70,000 trees have their own email addresses, thanks to the city’s Urban Forest Strategy. Launched in 2013 to preserve the city’s greenery in a changing climate, the initiative invited residents to report broken branches or signs of disease through email. But something unexpected happened: instead of sending problem reports, people began writing heartfelt letters filled with gratitude, reflections, and deeply personal thoughts.
“Dear Tree,” another letter reads, “This is not a report on your wellbeing, in case someone reading this is looking for issues they need to fix. This is simply a letter to a tree, because I would like someone new to talk to, a stranger, and what better stranger to pick than a tree who lives across the world?” For many, these trees have become confidants, silent companions who absorb the writer’s words without judgment.
There’s something profoundly therapeutic about putting thoughts and feelings into words. Writing allows us to untangle our emotions, reach the root of what’s troubling us, and even stumble upon insights we didn’t know we were seeking. Science tells us that expressive writing can reduce stress, improve mood, and foster mental clarity. These letters to trees remind us that our thoughts, stories, and vulnerabilities are worth sharing—even with strangers rooted quietly in the earth.
Want to try it for yourself? Choose a tree from Melbourne’s Urban Forest map (click here), send an email, and see where your words take you.