Pacific Northwest Research Station

Neighborhoods with homes fronted with street trees experience lower crime rates, according to a study conducted in Portland, Oregon. The same statistic holds true for homes with large yard trees. These results hold for total-crime rates as well as specific property crimes such as vandalism and burglary.

Trees may reduce crime by signaling that a neighborhood is well cared for. These findings are consistent with the “broken window” hypothesis, which maintains that signs of neighborhood neglect, such as graffiti or untended yards, send a signal to potential criminals that residents may not take steps to protect their neighborhood.

The City of Portland’s Crime Prevention Program is incorporating these findings in its education and outreach work with public safety providers and other community members.