Photo – Left to Right Shaun Wilkinson and Peter Wilman
Trees shape the character of Bradford’s parks, streets, woodlands, cemeteries and green spaces. From providing shade on hot days to improving air quality and supporting wildlife, they play an important role in the district.
Behind the scenes, Bradford Council’s Arbor Team works year-round to care for thousands of council-owned trees, ensuring they remain healthy, safe and thriving for future generations.
We spoke to members of the team about what inspires their work and why trees matter.
No Two Trees Are the Same
For Arborist Shaun Wilkinson, the fascination with trees comes from their diversity.
“They are living organisms of all shapes and sizes.”
That sense of variety is echoed by colleague Peter Wilman, who says understanding how different trees grow and what they need is one of the most rewarding parts of the job.
“No two trees are the same. Understanding their behaviour, how they grow and their requirements gives great satisfaction.”
Working with trees means every day presents new challenges, whether inspecting mature specimens, managing woodland areas or planning maintenance work across the district.
Looking Beyond the Landscape
Both Peter and Shaun believe trees provide far more benefits than many people realise.
“Trees produce oxygen, make our landscape the way it is, clean the air and provide shade in hot weather,” says Shaun.
Peter feels that trees are sometimes undervalued.
“Some people see them as weeds and have little understanding of their full value.”
From the colours of autumn leaves to spring blossom and the shade of a mature canopy in summer, trees contribute to the changing beauty of Bradford’s landscape throughout the year.
Caring for Thousands of Trees
Bradford’s Trees and Woodlands team manages many thousands of council-owned trees across the district, including those in parks, recreation grounds, woodlands, schools, cemeteries and along highways.
As Shaun explains:
“Our dedicated tree team maintain all council-owned trees within the district.”
Trees require different kinds of care throughout their lives. This may involve watering newly planted trees, carrying out routine inspections, pruning to maintain health and safety, or managing disease and decline when necessary.
When a tree reaches the end of its life, replacement planting helps ensure the next generation can continue to enjoy the benefits that trees provide.
A Career Outdoors
For Peter, one of the greatest rewards of the job is being outdoors and facing different challenges each day.
“No two jobs are the same and each will be a challenge in its own right.”
He enjoys the teamwork involved in delivering complex projects across the district.
“The trust and team effort needed from both in-house teams and contractors to successfully complete challenges is most satisfying.”
The changing seasons, varied locations and opportunity to work closely with nature continue to make every working day different.
Lessons from a Lifetime Among Trees
Peter’s career in parks began in 1971 when he successfully interviewed for a gardening position at Peel Park.
Looking back, he describes his proudest achievement not as a single project but an entire career dedicated to parks and green spaces.
“A job well done is something to be proud of. It brings respect and a feeling of great satisfaction.”
What Trees Can Teach Us
When asked what people might find most surprising about trees, Peter doesn’t hesitate.
“Trees are very resilient. They are almost human.”
He explains that trees can reveal remarkable stories through their growth rings, showing how weather conditions affected their development and even preserving evidence of events that happened decades or centuries ago.
Meanwhile, Shaun’s favourite tree is the Wych Elm.
“Sadly there are very few left.”
Their appreciation reflects the passion shared across the Arbor Team: protecting Bradford’s existing trees while helping to establish those that will benefit future generations.
Looking to the Future
Both Peter and Shaun share a common message.
Trees are not simply part of the background. They improve our wellbeing, support wildlife, help tackle environmental challenges and make Bradford a greener, healthier place to live.
As Peter says:
“These magnificent species have so much to offer our wellbeing and enjoyment that we should encourage more tree planting.”