If you’d like to keep burglars away – plant a tree.

If your neighborhood has several nice big trees – it’s a little safer than neighborhoods without them... 

According to the U.S. Forest Service, less crime occurs in neighborhoods with big trees in the front yards and along the streets. Forester Geoffrey Donovan says – large, mature trees are a signal to thieves that the neighborhood is well cared for and that increases the odds that they’ll be caught.

If you don’t have any big trees, some well-maintained smaller landscaping can help too. Just make sure it doesn’t obscure any windows or doors - or provide convenient coverage for burglars to hide in.