Tree of the Year Archives

The story of Oakey the Tree started in July 2009 four years before it was planted.  It was then that I was promoted to the rank of Police Sergeant and transferred to the Village of Palmetto Bay Policing Unit.  Having grown up in Miami, I was not familiar with the Village of Palmetto Bay.  As I began to patrol the Village and meet the community, I knew this was the place for me to raise a family and create lifetime memories.  One day as I was patrolling the neighborhoods, I came across a home with a For Sale sign.  The home had a lush landscape, however when I entered the backyard was when I fell in love with three Live Oak Trees that resided there.  They were majestic and their canopies provided beautiful shade.  We knew this would be our home.  On September 4, 2012, my wife Marcia and I bought our first home together in Palmetto Bay.  

Shortly thereafter, I delved into transforming our home into a tropical paradise.  I researched and learned all I could about Florida native plants.  I visited Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden numerous times and with the help of the University of Florida, I created a Florida-Friendly Landscape yard.  In 2013, The University of Florida awarded my yard the Gold 2013 Florida-Friendly Landscape Award.  I proudly displayed my award sign in the front yard for all to see.  I officially created a tropical paradise that encompassed Florida native plants that invited native birds, butterflies and other animals.  I created a sanctuary for birds to enjoy which included feeders, houses, and bird baths.

On July 21, 2013, I was promoted to the rank of Police Lieutenant and transferred to the Hammocks Policing District.  As a promotional gift from my fellow officers, they planted a Live Oak in my front yard with a brass plaque that read “Lieutenant Jorge Luis Montero, From The Boys at Palmetto Bay”.  It was one of the oddest gifts I had ever received from my fellow officers. However, they witnessed my passion for trees and plants, and decided it was the ideal gift.  A gift that would last a lifetime and continue to grow for years to come. I was and am forever grateful. 

I named the Live Oak tree “Oakey”. It still stands strong in front of my home reminding me every day of the memories I created while serving the Village of Palmetto Bay.  Shortly thereafter, the Village of Palmetto Bay graciously planted two more Live Oaks next to Oakey to keep him company.  Oakey now has a decorative Halloween bat stuck on a high branch I haven’t removed and a strand of old Christmas lights.  These are all reminders of the memories I have shared with my family and how Oakey has been a part of it.  We will continue to grow together as a family.  I hope someday someone will see what we see in Oakey and it will grow old with them too.