Study: Urban trees can reduce crime

Researchers with the U.S. Forest Service say a study conducted in Portland, Ore., suggests certain types of city trees may help lower the rate of property crime and violent crime, a USFS release said Monday.

"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," Geoffrey Donovan, USFS research forester who led the study, said. "Large yard trees also were associated with lower crime rates, most likely because they are less view-obstructing than smaller trees."

Small yard trees might in fact increase crime by blocking views and providing cover for criminals, the study said, an effect homeowners can reduce by keeping trees pruned and carefully choosing the location of new trees.

"We wanted to find out whether trees, which provide a range of other benefits, could improve quality of life in Portland by reducing crime, and it was exciting to see that they did," Donovan said.

"Although a burglar alarm may deter criminals, it won't provide shade on a hot summer day, and it certainly isn't as nice to look at as a tree."

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