Nearly 20,000 trees have been planted across the city this year.

A total of 19,500 tree whips were planted across woodlands and a further 419 in parks, around housing and on highways in Brighton and Hove.

Tree whips are unbranched young trees which are planted with 1m to 2.5m spacing with protection and a wooden stake for support.

A spokesman for the city council said: “We chose a diverse range of species to enhance the city’s woodlands, parks and streets with species such as oak, hazel, wild cherry and black walnut.”

The council said the trees chosen will improve habitat diversity, provide seasonal interest and offer greater resilience and support for the city’s tree collection.

Nearly 200 trees have been planted with friends of groups and other stakeholders with funding from the Urban Tree Challenge Fund (UTCF).

The UTCF is a government scheme that aims to boost nature, health and wellbeing by providing funds for tree planting projects.

The council’s Cityparks team has planted trees in parks across the city including Preston Park, Knoll Park, Mackie Park, Queen's Park, The Level, Saltdean Oval, Stoneham Park and Wish Park.

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Trees have also been planted in the grounds of Balfour Primary School and Dorothy Stringer School.

17,000 of 19,500 tree whips planted across the city are part of work to regenerate woodlands that have been devastated by ash dieback.

The single largest replant was at Three Cornered Copse in Hove where 6,000 tree whips were planted.

The council spokesman added: “We’re planning to plant a further 70,000 tree whips in 2024 to continue our important regeneration work.”

Ash dieback is a disruptive tree fungal infection which is significantly affecting ash tree populations across the UK.

The council was granted felling licences from the government’s forestry commission last year to remove infected trees to minimise the impact and reduce the risk to both the public and property.

Around 10,000 infected ash trees have been removed from woodlands across the city so far and anticipate many more ash trees will need to be felled over the next few years.