Stockton has a lot of crime; this is no secret. Stockton also benefits from a tremendous tree canopy and was once named “Best Tree City.” Is there a correlation between crime and trees? Yes, but maybe not the kind you were thinking of. While Stockton suffers from soaring crime rates, evidence shows the presence of trees can have a positive effect on public safety. Obviously, planting trees won’t magically stop crime, but it’s important to understand that there is a relationship between public safety and good tree coverage. Continue reading
Probably one of the best aspects of living in Stockton is the city’s trees. Stockton was once named “Best Tree City” by Sunset magazine and at one time planted 2,500 new trees each year. Sadly, I think Stockton’s trees are also taken for granted. Everyone knows that our trees provide for pleasant streets in older neighborhoods and great shade in the scorching summer months, but, perhaps unexpectedly, trees also offer a tremendous economic benefit, both to property owners and to the city overall. Continue reading
