Along with energy conservation and storm-water reduction, scientists may soon be adding crime-fighting to the list of benefits that urban trees provide. Researchers with the U.S. Forest Service's Pacific Northwest (PNW) and Southern Research Stations have published a new study that suggests that certain types of city trees may help lower property and violent crime rates. The researchers conducted statistical analyses to explore the relationships among crime and more than two dozen variables they compiled, including the number and size of trees on a lot and the size of trees on surrounding areas. Of the tree variables analyzed, canopy size of both street and yard trees and the number of trees growing on a lot had the most effect on crime occurrence -- large trees were associated with a reduction in crime, while numerous small trees were associated with an increase. "We believe that large street trees can reduce crime by signaling to a potential criminal that a neighborhood is better cared for and, therefore, a criminal is more likely to be caught." Their analysis suggested that small yard trees might actually increase crime by blocking views and providing cover for criminals -- an effect that homeowners can mitigate by keeping trees pruned and carefully choosing the location of new trees.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/11/101101171240.htm
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