The council has admitted a blunder that misled people into thinking it would stop replacing dead trees.

Members of the Wanstead Community Gardeners and Wanstead Society expressed major public health concerns after a Redbridge Council officer told them dead or damaged trees could stop being replaced next year.

The email from one of the council’s tree officers said “budget proposals being approved would result in a halt in replacement tree planting on the highway starting in April 2017”.

But after the Guardian brought it to the council’s attention, Redbridge has admitted the officer was wrong.

Cabinet member for environment and sustainability Cllr John Howard said: “I can guarantee Redbridge Council is still going to be maintaining a robust tree planting scheme.

“I am very keen Redbridge remains a green and pleasant place to live.

“These rumours have come from an internal miscommunication.

“I am going to replace the wording of the budget proposals to reassure residents we will still be replacing dead or damaged trees in the borough.”

The council’s budget proposals will be finalised at meeting in February 2017.