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Befriending Trees
When you are asked to think about the city, it is very likely that the bustle and hustle of the city and its built structures will immediately dominate your thought. And when you are asked to consider the countryside, images of leaves, trees, flowers, and mountains will probably spring to mind. Yet, this activity invites you to explore nature in the city by observing, exploring, and ‘befriending’ trees, appreciating how trees can survive and adapt to the urban environment.
How it works
1
Select an area or a street. Observe 1-3 trees that you spot along the way.
2
Consider the following:
- Are the trees standing on their own? Do they rely on any support or lean on some built or artificial features? Is this a human intervention or do you think that it happens naturally?
- What is the condition of root, trunk, branches, and leaves of the trees? Take photos of the trees from different angles and distances.
- Try to see if there are any fallen leaves that you can find on the ground. If the answer is positive, pick the fallen leaves from one of the trees that you have observed. DO NOT pick any leaves that are still on the tree.
- When you get home, you can create a mini character using the fallen leaves. You can draw inspiration from German artist Sabine Timm-Gnoth (an example is shown below). By doing so, you can give the fallen leaves a new lease of life.
Example
Photo by Vanessa Yeung: A big tree on Tai Ping Shan Street
Photo by Vanessa Yeung: Hollywood Road Stone Wall Trees
Photo by Vanessa Yeung: Stone Wall Roots on Hollywood Road
Photo by Vanessa Yeung: Aerial roots on Hollywood Road
Photo by Vanessa Yeung: Aberdeen Street