HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Alief is throwing shade at crime in hopes that planting new trees will help protect the neighborhood. The Alief area will soon be home to 1,200 new trees, and those planting them say the trees will not only beautify the streets, but help protect them as well. Local leaders said the first trees will be planted in late winter of this year and early next year -- mostly in the medians or near sidewalks