Dear Trees: A public art experiment to listen to our forests

Dear trees, Aspen
0

trees live in
the City of Aspen.

Six of them are waiting to hear from you.

Dear Trees is a public art and tree-connection experiment for all ages. Slow down, find a tree, and write a letter.

  1. Aug 18

    Launch at ACES, Hallam Lake

    An evening of public art and nature education and the first opportunity to write letters to the trees.

  2. Aug 18 – Sept 20

    Letters are open

    Find the six trees and write to them, any time, through September 20.

  3. Sept 20

    Tree gallery show at The Grove

    Six weeks of letters culminate in a gallery show during the Aspen Design Conference.

A Dear Trees letterbox on a tree in Aspen.
Every tree has a mailbox.

How it works

  1. Slow down

    We have very special trees in the Roaring Fork Valley and yet it is easy to walk by them. We are inviting you to simply slow down and pay attention to the forest.

  2. Find the trees

    Six trees across Aspen are part of this experience. Find them all by following the map below.

  3. Start building a connection

    The best way to feel closer to nature is to start building a connection! The trees are waiting to hear from you.

Three kinds of trees are on the route:
conifers
cottonwoods
aspens

Find the six

Tap a tree on the list or a marker on the map. The whole route is walkable in an afternoon.

Hand-drawn map of Aspen showing the six Dear Trees locations.
Tag your tree

Found one? Snap a photo and tag us.

@acesaspen @buckhornpublicarts @lindsaylaurenne

From the letters

Two weeks in, the boxes are filling up. A few of the things people have said to the trees so far.

To the Cottonwood at Hallam Lake

“You've been here my whole life. You shaded our path when we could come to Hallam Lake as toddlers. You sheltered us from the winter wind and snow as I grew older and began learning about nature and the incredible world around us. Thank you for being patient with us. Thank you for being.”

To the Aspen at the Wheeler

“What have you seen? What have you witnessed? Were there trees like you? Were you ever more than a tree? Can you feel?”

To the Blue Spruce at Hallam Lake

“Does the laughter of children make you happy? Does the sound of ospreys in their nest bring you comfort? Over the years, have you ever wanted to give up or do you find hope, the way we find hope in your beauty and resilience?”

To the Douglas Fir at John Denver Sanctuary

“I wish I had assurance to give. Alas. I have nothing but love and gratitude for you.”

At the trees

A child at one of the Dear Trees trees.
A Dear Trees letterbox on a tree.

What happens to the letters?

Sign up and we'll tell you when the selections go on view, when the art book is out, and where Dear Trees goes next.

Sign me up
Thank you for getting to know the trees.

A collaboration between the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, Buckhorn Public Arts and The Heartwood Institute.

ACES — Aspen Center for Environmental Studies Buckhorn Public Arts The Heartwood Institute