Warwick operates Allied Tree Consultancy from his Corrimal home and is a member of the Institute of Australian Consulting Arborists, the International Society of Arborists and the Local Government Tree Association.

He also teaches at Yallah TAFE and says his work is so pleasant because for most of the time he is out and about and “just loves problem solving”.

His business provides assessments and reports on tree development applications to council, hazard and risk assessments, pest and disease diagnosis and treatment, structural damage from tree roots and general tree management.

Warwick has been involved with the tree industry for almost 18 years and has several local councils and government departments among his clientele.

One thing, however, that Allied Tree Consultancy doesn’t do is randomly prune or remove trees.

‘This means we do not cater for any possible conflict of interest with the laws governing trees and has helped us develop good relations with the councils and other governing bodies,” he says.

He says that his work has become a developing science particularly in the area of research and he has become involved with the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney in plant pathology.

One problem he and others like him are studying closely today is growing problems with disease in Norfolk Island pine trees, particularly in the area of pachogen which is a disease that hits at the organism of trees.

“It’s like cancer with humans,” he says.

While admitting that many people love their trees and the privacy they can offer, particularly in such areas as Mangerton and Mt Pleasant, Warwick says there are others who hate them and take no interest in them whatever.

Greater awareness needed

Warwick says everyone who has a tree on their property should inspect them from time to time and not be frightened to look up and see the state of the highest branches.

“We are in the windy season and this is when decay in trees cause them to become dangerous,” he says.

He supports the role local councils play in regard to the planting of trees and the requirement to get their permission to have them removed.

There are some species of trees totally unsuitable for urban development, he says, and this is where a local council gets involved.

And when he’s not studying arborism Warwick likes to play some music and sit back and play some old CD’s of his favourite artists.

Warwick can be contacted on 1300 767 414