Messages of positivity were sprouting along one Lexington street, recently posted on what's being called a tree of Love.

We talked to the woman who planted it to find out why she felt this botanical beacon of hope was needed.

I have a dear friend and colleague.

Her name's Meryl Russo.

She's lives in L.A. and she started this on a hike that she was doing in the canyons in L.A. And when I saw the joy she had, like, the stories that she was telling about it growing and people taking it having a life of its own.

I just thought I'd love to replicate that.

So the Tree of Love is meant to be something that gives to you and can receive from you.

So I encourage people to write their own notes.

They can take the Post-it notes.

We keep them outside in a box and have pens, or you can make your own and bring them.

I have clothespins and I have tacks that people can put to the strings on the tree.

You bring a note of your own.

You bring a thought of your own, a quote that you love or something that you hope that will encourage somebody else and you can take as well.

So there's if there's a note there and it speaks to you, take it and keep it with you.

Same with the rocks.

You can make rocks and leave them.

Or if you see a rock that speaking to you, then please take it and have it be a part of your world.

I wasn't sure how people would feel about it if it would just be an eyesore or if it would be something that people loved.

And then when it was clear that people liked it and that they wanted it to be a part of the neighborhood at the least, and if not more, the community, you're right, it grew.

People are really writing what's on their hearts, that they are really afraid or they're feeling really alone.

And this is a place where they can be seen.

I really love it when I hear other neighbors who have said that they were talking about the tree and they're meeting over the tree.

I've had people introduce themselves and say that this is like an excuse to introduce introduce themselves to other people or to be a part of something that feels like it's growing and that I've had numerous conversations like that.

And then I've had people ask how they can make their own tree happen.

Anyone can do it and it can be a tree that is near you, or it could be on a pathway if that's allowed where the pathway is.

And and I have people that are doing smaller versions that is portable, that it's not a life tree and you can put notes on it that way.

There's just so much that is hard and negative that it's wonderful when you can grow in love and connection and have that reminder as well.

It's sometimes it can be hard to find that, and it's nice when someone else can plant it for you.