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The Boston Globe

Opinion

Boston.com

Gareth Cook

Vitality grows on trees

Urban foliage has surprising health, economic benefits

By Gareth Cook

 |  Globe Columnist  

  October 23, 2011

New research suggests that trees are hard at work in cities. A single tree, one study found, can help deter crime in its immediate vicinity. Babies born to mothers with a tree close to their house are less likely to be underweight. And trees raise the property value of nearby homes by nearly $13,000, according to one analysis. Trees should be counted among those urban dwellers who make important contributions to the life of the city.

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