THE zealous security guard who interrupted a Channel 10 reporter during a live cross at Burnside Village about the ailing undercover gum tree has defended his actions, saying he was "only doing his job".

Adelaide reporter Joe Hill struggled to complete his live broadcast to Ten's national morning show Breakfast on Monday as Steve - a nine-year veteran of the security industry - repeatedly asked him to leave Burnside Village.

"I was really just doing my job and asked the reporter to move off the property," Steve says.

"He did this and continued his segment but I really didn't hear his comment that he was live (to air)."

Joe continued his running commentary - about the cost of trying to revive the shopping centre's ailing 100-year-old gum tree - as he was hustled out of the carpark and on to a public footpath.

"I'll give him credit though, the guy's a committed employee," Joe says.

Steve, who has been working security at Burnside Village for just under a year, says he has been "inundated" with messages of support from many of the shopping centre's regular customers since video footage of the incident went viral.

The network decided to cover the story after adelaidenow reported that Burnside Village had spent $126,000 caring for the stressed river red gum housed in its $107.5 million extension.

The Eastern Courier Messenger also has had difficulties covering the Burnside tree saga and the paper has previously been banned from taking photos of the tree.

Joe's report turned into a fiasco as he argued with the unamused guard, tried to stifle his giggles then bravely continued his running commentary as he was hustled out of the car park and on to a public footpath.

The centre's operator, the Cohen Group, said concern about the tree's health was unwarranted and it has pledged to return the tree to its optimal state.

Concern over the health of the tree prompted Burnside Council to launch an internal investigation into its land sale deal with the Cohen Group.

It is looking at whether it has any power in addressing the tree's health.

Since the $100 million redevelopment was opened in November, costs for caring for the tree have included:

20,000 for a misting system to control leaf moisture

$100,000 to install new electronic doors at the entrance to help control temperatures

$6000 in specialist fees

There also are plans to redirect flows from an air conditioning and heating system away from the tree to prevent the loss of moisture.

Cohen Group general manager of property Lyn Gray said an assessment by a team of arborists showed the tree was still growing and that it "is by no means at a demise''.

"We will monitor the changes and their effect on the tree and continue to engage with specialists and make relevant the necessary changes as required,'' Ms Gray said.

Originally published as Just doing my job, Burnside tree guard says