John Buzzella’s roots are in Miami Lakes and his tree trimming and landscaping business was launched in the town, too.
Buzzella founded Reasonable Tree Service and Landscaping Inc. in 1976, shortly after graduating from what was then called Miami Lakes Senior High.
Over the years, his business expanded throughout much of Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
Although he now lives in Southwest Ranches, the town has always remained special to him.
It’s where his family still owns the home where he spent the last of his childhood years, he said.
“Miami Lakes is like my baby, because when I first started the tree business that was my area,” Buzzella said. “And then it grew from that.”
The company focuses on laying sod, fertilizing, trimming and shaping trees and shrubs and rock landscaping — everything but cutting grass, he said.
Buzzella is a certified arborist and said he specializes in “sculpture cutting” trees.
He stuck with a simple business name and a slogan that drove home a big point: “If you’re worried about the price, think about our name.”
It’s been the motto since he began the business more than 45 years ago.
But Buzzella didn’t always go up high in the sky in truck buckets or climb very tall palm trees.
His family owned an aluminum home improvement product business.
Throughout high school he sold their products, which included awnings, storm panels and shutters.
But he didn’t like being stuck in an office.
“I guess I liked being with nature, being outdoors, not being cooped up in an office,” Buzzella said.
Buzzella’s strong ties to the town include advertising with The Miami Laker and the Our Lady of the Lakes church bulletin.
“We’ve been with The Miami Laker since the paper was first started, day one,” he said. “It’s a good paper and effective.”