The young trees planted in the Lake Patricia community may not look like much today, but in a decade or so they’ll contribute to Miami Lakes’ status as a Tree City USA member.
The 25 native live oak and mahogany trees braced by stakes in swales in the east side neighborhood were made possible by an approximately $7,000 donation from Gilberto Velazco, M.D.
“I love trees,” said Velazco, 45, who lives in the Lake Patricia neighborhood. “It’s a passion. I love nature.”
The tree canopy was one of the reasons he and his husband, retired attorney Joseph Cicileo moved to town from Miami in 2022.
“Very few cities in Miami-Dade look like Miami Lakes,” he said.
The couple first lived on a street where they saw the town cut down many trees.
The wrecked landscape prompted Velazco to talk with the Parks Department and elected officials about replacing and planting new trees in swales and parks that were lacking greenery.
Live oaks grow slowly and can reach 80 feet in height with branches that spread 100 feet.
Mahogany trees are wind resistant and grow to 60 feet.
Its branches can spread 50 feet and will allow sunlight to shine through to foliage below, according to the University of Florida.
The physician said there are so many good things about trees.
“Health benefits, with these kinds of tree views and nature, psychologically it’s very helpful, I would say,” Velazco said.
“It makes people happy, walking in the shade, not in the sun. It’s an effect of peace, from the view,” he said.
You’re living integrated with nature, it affects the rates of depression, stress, people can relax in the neighborhood and go for walks and maybe lose weight,” he said.
Velazco is an internist at the University of Miami Hospital, “primarily managing leukemia patients in conjunction with a multidisciplinary team,” the UM website says.
“Having trees makes people happier, more relaxed by being in contact with nature, the birds that come with this,” he said.
The Arbor Day Foundation says on its website that trees clean the air, filter water and slow storm surge and flooding. They also foster civic pride and provide a home to wildlife.
Velazco said trees “contribute to property values, keep our houses cooler and help to save energy costs during the summertime, especially in South Florida which is really hot.
“The beauty of the tree brings all the people to town,” he said. “Not just to move in and spend money here, but investors also and people want to visit and spend money in our town and stay in our hotels and play on our golf course. It’s a multiplier effect.”
Neighbor Ofelia Davila is an orchid enthusiast and will watch one of the new mahogany trees grow in a pocket park on Lake Saranac Avenue.
“The symbol of the town is the tree,” Davila said in Spanish. She pointed out tall trees in her swale, some the town planted decades ago, some palms that she put in her yard. “It is very good that someone [like Velazco] is interested in that.”
She said tree maintenance can be complicated and take a lot of time, but she said she has it as she is retired.
“Hialeah doesn’t have trees,” she said. “I see people ride bicycles from there to Business Park East, to be in the neighborhood with trees.”
Mayor Josh Dieguez presented a certificate of recognition to Velazco at an Aug. 2025 council meeting.
Calling him “a very special resident,” Dieguez said, “for those who don’t know, Dr. Velazco is constantly making sure the council is on its tip toes keeping watch over our canopy, that it is being preserved and that we’re following best practices and trying to keep Miami Lakes green and beautiful.”
He praised Velazco’s “substantial donation,” and cited his “outstanding environmental stewardship and dedication to tree preservation … The Town of Miami Lakes commends your remarkable act of community, generosity and your steadfast commitment to enriching our urban canopy.”
Velazco bought the trees at $250 apiece from a Homestead nursery and the town’s contractor planted them. A few died and had to be replaced, he said.
He praised town staff, Parks & Recreation Director Jeremy Bajdaun and Special Projects Manager John Paul Yanes for helping him get the project going.
The trees will live long after him, but Velazco doesn’t consider them to be his legacy. They are more of a tribute to the town’s founders and developers, he said.
“For me, it’s trying to keep the city beautiful,” Velazco said. “I think the people who originally built the city really did a great job on planting and keeping these trees around.
“Basically for me, it’s just to keep up the work [the Graham Companies] started when the city was founded,” he said. “It’s more for the city and people who live in the city. It’s not about me.”
-- Ricardo Gutierrez Olguin contributed to this report.