A study by the University of Vermont and J.Morgan Grove of the USDA Forest Service looked at the relationship between urban tree cover and rates of robbery, burglary, theft and shooting in Baltimore city and county. What they found was that a 10% increase in tree canopy corresponded to a roughly 12% decrease in crime. So besides providing fresh oxygen, shade, fruit, and beauty, trees can now be trusted to reduce crime – just like real-life super heroes!
One of the study’s researchers, Geoffrey Donovan says, “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.”
Likewise, neighborhoods with more trees means more people spending time outdoors. The more people out and about, the less options for criminals to lurk undetected in the shadows. Continue reading