Brighton and Hove City Council has chopped down dozens of trees due to outbreaks of ash dieback and elm disease.
Councillor Alan Robins addressed concerns regarding the sale of timber as part of the felling, stating that any money made only reduces the cost of felling and no profit is being acquired.
He added that works are “crucial for protecting the long-term future of the city’s trees”.
The criticism follows tree felling across the city including in Hollingbury Wood, Wild Park, and Stanmer Park.
In a statement, Cllr Robins, cabinet member for sports and recreation, highlighted the importance of the works.
He said: “The essential conservation works we’re doing at the moment are crucial for protecting the long-term future of the city’s trees.
“We fully understand the concern and distress the felling work is causing, not least because in areas like Hollingbury Woods, the result can be a dramatic change in how parts of the woods look.”
The council is working with the Forestry Commission who agreed the works, to create a plan for regeneration.
Cllr Robins said: “We’ve been liaising closely with the Forestry Commission who have agreed that work can be done outside the licensing process. We’ll instead be obtaining this retrospectively.
“The council makes no profit from felling trees. Any timber sold reduces the felling costs but no more than that.
“We’ll again be working with the Forestry Commission on plans to regenerate the areas impacted by the felling which may include whip planting or natural regeneration and we’re very happy to work with any community groups who may wish to help us.
“The sad reality is that we must do this work to prevent the spread of disease to hundreds more trees.”
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