A third new tree will be planted in the city centre after vandals chopped down the first two.

Shop owners in Bond Street, Brighton, were shocked to discover the latest sapling in two pieces earlier this month.

It was wrapped up with packing tape but that was not enough to save it from dying.

Now Brighton and Hove City Council has said it will replace it with a new flowering cherry tree with a thicker trunk.

This is the second time it has planted a replacement. Vandals with a hacksaw chopped the first tree down under the cover of darkness in September last year.

The Argus: The chopped tree last yearThe chopped tree last year (Image: Sue Delafons)

Council environment boss Tim Rowkins said: “I’m very pleased that we are able to replace the tree on Bond Street.

“What possesses people to mindlessly vandalise trees is beyond me.

“It is incredibly frustrating to be spending our very limited funds for street trees on replacements when there are so many places in the city that need more trees.

“Our arboriculture team is extremely busy at the moment, but we will be replacing this tree by the end of March.” 

David Mallon, who owns Porta in Bond Street, Brighton, arrived at his shop on the Monday after February 3 to discover the split tree.

The Argus: The tree is in the South end of the streetThe tree is in the South end of the street (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

He said: "It's just expected, but it should not be. This is a city so you do tend to expect that sort of thing, but not the second time around.

"There's no nice greenery in this area and to have it grow to maturity would be really good and add so much to the environment."

The first tree was planted in spring 2023 as part of a scheme from the North Laine Community Association to make the corridor between Trafalgar Street and North Street greener.

Sue Delafons, who led the campaign for the association, said: "This is good news, as it is very difficult to get approval for new planting in North Laine and there had been a tree in that location for many years before it became diseased."

Read more: Shock after tree 'torn down' by vandals

The planting was part of a number of trees in the area.

She added: "The two mature trees in Bond Street appear to be flourishing.  There are a handful of beautiful long-established specimens in the area, but not enough. Much of North Laine – despite its other charms - has bleak concrete vistas in every direction.

"North Laine Community Association will continue with its efforts to green the centre of the city and hope to add at least a couple more new trees this season.