(Berrybrook Oak: The magnificent Berrybrook Oak stands alone on the field. Buttkus estimates it’s about a century old.)

Where some may see simply a tree, Peter Buttkus notices its shape, he looks to see if mushrooms are growing along roots, he checks for signs of decay and the overall integrity of the structure. He can also distinguish a red oak from a white from an English.

While most of Duxbury knows Peter Buttkus as the director of Public Works, few know he’s also a nationally and internationally licensed arborist. Asked why he has such an affinity for trees, Buttkus said he’s always been invested in the outdoors and fascinated by the intricacy of plants. He said trees have an especially symbiotic relationship with their environments.

“They help cool us in the summer, and warm us in the winter by cutting the wind, they provide oxygen and prevent soil erosion,” said Buttkus. “And they’re damn pretty.”

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