Distribution Programs

Urban Tree Management · PROGRAM FOR THE SUITABILITY WITH THE OVERHEAD LINE NETWORK

Benefits for the Population

Urban tree planting guarantees the population an increased comfort and dust and gas absorption, protection against the wind, a decrease in noise pollution and a healthier environment for the fauna.

The lack of planning in urban tree planting may lead to short circuits in the overhead networks, the breaking of cables, interruptions in energy supply, household appliance burnouts, disruptions in public lighting, risks to pedestrians, besides interfering and conflicting with urban public assets and services, such as traffic signs, gas and water mains, telephone lines, buildings and roads.

The Urban Tree Management Program

The Program for Suitability with the Overhead Energy Network, which Cemig has been carrying all over the state since 1988, proves its importance in the fact that trees represent the second major cause for interruptions in the energy output.

Happening as a result of partnerships formed with Municipalities, Universities, and both nongovernmental and governmental organizations, the program performs:

• staff training and qualification in urban tree management planning
• maintenance techniques, mainly pruning
• seed collection and processing and distribution of seedlings to municipalities and associated organizations of those species most properly suited to urban tree planting
• implementation of engineering solutions such as the installation of insulated and protected networks and public lighting alternatives
• data bank of the existing trees, the detected problems with the recommendation of solutions and the replacement of improper trees

Activities implemented up to 1999

170,000 seedlings and 220 seed kits (each kit yields 5 thousand seedlings) were distributed. Furthermore, Cemig administered 50 courses and promoted six seminars on urban tree planting and pruning, reaching a total audience of 1,700 people.

Cemig has two Plant Nurseries that yield around 50 thousand seedlings a year.

Urban Tree Management Manual

As a means of promoting this work, Cemig created the Urban Tree Management Manual that deals with the main issues in the field and proposes solutions to make urban trees compatible with the electric energy distribution system.

Supplied to Municipalities and the community at large, the Manual contains information that is extremely helpful in the planning, construction and maintenance of urban environments.