In order to study the pruning carried out in urban trees and analyze new techniques that may be used to reduce pruning, improve the relationship between the species and the networks, and allow trees to fulfill their proper ecological functions, studies concerning the three main types of electric power distribution were carried out: aerial conventional distribution networks, aerial compact distribution networks and underground networks in four electric power companies. The study showed the implementation costs of the three named networks as well as pruning and tree maintenance costs. The costs of the conventional network (primary and secondary) ranged from R$ 54.188,39 to R$ 67.571,43. The costs for the compact network (primary and secondary) was on average R$ 62.215,99, and the costs for the underground networks was on average R$ 436.585,04. The compact network is now possible, mainly because its implementation costs are almost the same of the conventional network and its maintenance costs are 80% lower. Although the implementation costs of the underground network is 10 times higher than the conventional one, its lower maintenance costs and high reliability allow its use in several situations.
Costs of electric power distribution system; street arborization
