Many people already know that city trees are highly desirable to make a neighborhood more attractive. It's also common knowledge that shade from trees keeps temperatures on the ground cooler, can help buildings lower their overall energy usage, and their roots absorb storm water runoff efficiently.
What people may not be familiar with is that trees also aid in fighting crime! Yes, trees can lower crime rates.
Researchers from the US Forest Service's Pacific Northwest (PNW) and Southern Research Stations have published a study on this issue in the journal Environment and Behavior. Their theory is that certain types of trees can reduce crime in a given area. Their study focused on the neighborhoods of Portland, Oregon.
They looked at many factors such as the number and size of trees per lot and trees in the surrounding area. They also factored in canopy size of streets and yard trees. They concluded that large trees were associated with a reduction in crime. Meanwhile, numerous small trees were associated with an increase in crime.
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