Girl, 11, turns marsh trees into quirky characters

Wanderers along the River Lea in Hackney Marshes might notice unusual signs attached to trees, each offering a whimsical narrative. The project, known as the Talking Tree Collective, was conceived by an 11-year-old girl who began assigning fictional histories to the trees during family outings. Over the past year, Niovi has transformed these walks into a creative endeavor, crafting imaginative backstories for every tree in the area.

Among the tree characters is Humble Dick, whose tale recounts a 1952 conflict between local sting nettles and young saplings over scrubland. The story describes him as “the last shoot standing” in this battle, portrayed as a brave Professor from a historic lineage. Another figure, Bernard, is depicted as a litter-picker with roots tied to a legacy of environmentalists, inspired by nature documentaries.

“It started like a year ago when we walked around the marshes and saw funny looking trees,” Niovi shared with BBC London. “We began crafting narratives and later assigned them distinct personalities and names.”

The stories are shaped by the trees’ physical features—such as a dent or a unique shape—which Niovi interprets as clues to their past. What began as a playful activity during strolls with Coco the dog has evolved into an informal literacy trail. The signs, however, remain unsigned, credited only to the “Talking Tree Collective,” keeping the creator’s identity a secret until Niovi revealed herself.

Niovi’s father, Doug, contributed by handling the printing and laminating, but he emphasized that the creative vision belonged entirely to his daughter. “I’ve mostly been consigned to laminating and printing, so I leave the imagination to Niovi,” he said. “I think news is pretty tough at the moment, so it’s nice to do something which is a bit more joyous.”

The signs are set to stay for several weeks, allowing passersby to glimpse Niovi’s imaginative world. For more stories, listen to BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Submit your ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk.