Arboressence

Arboressence is a north-east Victorian tree care firm founded in 2006 by Gerard Reynolds and his wife Wiebke. Gerard is the principal arborist and director, holds a Diploma of Horticulture (Arboriculture) from Burnley College at the University of Melbourne, and spent more than twelve years ranked among the top four tree climbers in Australia. The business works out of the Wangaratta area, VIC.

Behind Gerard is a properly qualified team. Operations manager Rod Hall came across in 2020 after running his own tree care business in Gippsland and teaching arboriculture, while climbing arborists Paul Fruzynski and Leon Elliott hold diplomas and certificates in the trade, with Paul also carrying an ISA Tree Risk Assessment qualification. Several apprentices are working towards their Certificate III alongside them.

The firm provides tree maintenance, tree care and ongoing tree management, along with tree removal and stump grinding. More specialised work includes pest and disease identification and control, cabling and bracing to support structurally weak trees, possum guarding and arboricultural consultancy. A lot of the climbing is done using rope access rather than machinery.

Over nearly two decades Arboressence has built lasting partnerships with schools, local councils, insurance agencies and private property owners across the region. The team leans on innovative climbing techniques and a strong safety and compliance culture, and puts real weight on ongoing training for its arborists.

From its base in the Wangaratta area, the firm covers Victoria's north east and southern New South Wales, working on town blocks and rural properties on both sides of the border.