Trees as Crime Deterrent: You Wouldn’t Believe It!

You’ve probably come to hundreds of conclusions about why your neighborhood is plagued with constant acts of crime and vandalism. It could be a new seedy venue that opened nearby, or a recent rise in poverty rates, but why your neighborhood and not the next one over? According to the U.S. Forest Service’s Pacific NW and Southern Research Stations it could be because your street is not lined with big, luxurious trees. 

Wait… What?

It’s absolutely true! The study, which encompassed 2,813 family homes, showed that neighborhoods with large trees were less likely to have been the victims of crime or theft. It may seem like a very strange coincidence but there is actually a dead simple common-sense reason that this phenomenon occurs. A neighborhood that is full of large street trees often has the appearance of being properly cared for, and therefore more likely to have security measures in place. Since this connection occurs on a primarily subconscious level, the actual economic level of the area often holds little persuasion over this gut assumption.

Before you rush out to plant some trees, consider that since this is simply a trend but definitely not foolproof. In fact, the same study also came to the conclusion that an abundance of SMALL trees or shrubs will actually raise the crime rate by making the area a more appealing place to hide. This effect can easily be cured by routine pruning and careful placement. Just another reason to contact a professional before planting anything that could hurt your property value!

Environmentalists are always learning delightful new facts about the positive benefits of native trees and a healthy ecosystem, but I’d never have thought that home security would be one of them. Of course, the slightly improved chances are no reason to forego an alarm system but it certainly is nice to know the multitude of ways that our investments pay off.

Fast Growing Trees

When planting trees on your property, you may want to reap the benefits of a fully grown tree as soon as possible. Of course, who wouldn’t want comfortable shade and fresher local air sooner? Luckily, there are several species of tree that won’t make you wait ten to twenty years for decent height and stature.

3. Lombardy Poplar
Lombardy poplars are an extremely versatile tree variety that has cropped up all over the United States. These trees are often planted in rows, as a windbreak or as an attractive property line. This poplar happens to grow a speedy 8-10 ft. per year, meaning that you will quickly have tall trees. In just three years, you can have a 40 ft tree!

2. Willow Hybrid
These hybrids are the fastest growing willow. They grow to be thick and lusciously green. These trees can become rather tall when mature, up to 75 feet! New homeowners often want to go the natural route when it comes to privacy fences, and planting this tree variety in rows will ensure you will have one quickly- growing 6-12 ft per year.

1. Empress Tree
If you are planting a tree for mostly visual purposes the Empress, or Paulownia, may be an excellent choice. These trees produce fragrant, colorful blooms. The timber itself is very valuable. This tree has a unique aesthetic quality and will make your yard look absolutely beautiful. These trees can be planted over most of the United States, and will grow an astonishing 10-15 feet per year until it reaches its mature height of 50 feet.


These three species of tree are all very versatile, and your local tree planting expert should be well versed in these popular varieties! Most of us don’t want to wait up to ten years for a proud, tall tree. That’s why planting one of these fast growing varieties may be a great investment for you.