The retired train driver enjoys surveying the land, looking at the landscape and finding unusual plants. That has always been his hobby.

“Not many people know that there is an old olive tree at the rear of Inverell hospital,” he said. 

Of course, not everyone agrees. 

While surveying the tree, passers by told us that it was an oak tree. 

Others say that it was a chestnut tree. 

“It’s a magnificent tree. I’d identify it as being an ornamental olive tree. It has the olive leaf formation, but iif anyone knows any different they should let us know because I was told earlier in the piece – 30 years ago – that it was a chestnut tree. And I was told that it was a Holm oak tree – but no!” Rose said.

He knows his trees. 

What do you think? Is there a 150-year-old olive tree growing at the rear of Inverell Hospital or is it an oak?