Arborização urbana e redes de distribuição de energia elétrica: o caso da região metropolitana de Belo Horizonte

Abstract

The process of populational growth causes alterations to the environment and impacts the quality of life. Urban forestry becomes essential, but its implementation and maintenance must follow some criteria to avoid conflicts. This work aimed at analyzing the interaction between urban forestry and energy systems and studying post-pruning growth of the sixteen main tree species in the Metropolitan Area of Belo Horizonte to propose an adjustment to pruning methods and assess the effects of environmental, management and tree factors on shoot development. The most relevant factors were the type of electric system and the maintenance of trees. The size of the species and the mechanical resistance of the wood are important to determine the demand for maintenance and ensure a harmonic relationship between the plant and the electric system. Due to the number of unprotected energy systems, considering the association between the tree species and their demand for maintenance is important. To study shoots, six individuals were selected from each species and the monthly growth of the five biggest post-prune shoots was followed to create two scenarios considering median values and data from the third quartile of growth. We analyzed the growth data and defined groups of pruning frequency, according to the similarities in species growth. Correlation and linear regression analyses were also performed for climatic factors, pruning intensity, DBH, phytosanitary conditions, luminosity in the crown, and permeable area in the soil. The tree species in this study had different responses regarding postpruning shoot growth and can be divided into groups of pruning management regimes that range between six and 24 months. The tree individuals, and environmental and management factors may affect tree sprouting.