Our team
Joseph McNeil
Joe’s interests are in science, biomechanics and engineering. Joe founded Lion Tree Service in 1971, and soon began consulting. As an owner-operator of a tree service he has been involved with education, training and certification through the local, regional and international arboriculture community. He attends numerous seminars and conferences annually, and has taught arboriculture at the community college level. Since converting his business exclusively to consulting in 1995 he has honed his practice and become an established and respected Board Certified Master Arborist and Qualified Tree Risk Assessor. Joe specializes in litigation support and appraisal.
Joe has strong personal organizational skills. His attention to detail combined with a firm understanding of the physiology and structure of trees and long experience with public perceptions of trees factor into his ability to assist individuals, property managers, and public agencies to make decisions about their trees.
Joe’s philosophy in business mirrors that in his life. He believes in a studied comprehensive approach to his work, staying intellectually current, personally and within industry practice and standards, with respect for the environment, all in a practical and ethical manner.
Professional Activities:
From 1998 through 2000 he was chair of the Standards of Professional Practice Committee, American Society of Consulting Arborists
From 1997 to 2001 he was on the board of the Northern California Turf and Landscape Council
From 2000 through 2002 he chaired the Tree and Vegetation Appraisal Committee of the Western Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture
2003 through 2005 Joe was a Director of the American Society of Consulting Arborists
Starting in 2004, through 2007 Joe was on the Plant Appraisal and Valuation Committee of the International Society of Arboriculture
In 2007 he became Chair, and remains in that position currently
Memberships:
International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) 1976
Western Chapter ISA 1976
American Society of Consulting Arborists 1989
Certifications and Licenses:
1984, became Certified Arborist, Western Chapter of International Society of Arboriculture
1985 acquired California State Contractors License (No.482248) C-27, landscape, C-61 (D49) tree service
1987 California Community Colleges Limited Services Teaching Credential
1989 this credential was extended to lifetime status
1992, Arborists Certification test proctor, International Society of Arboriculture
1998, Registered Consulting Arborist No. 299, American Society of Consulting Arborists
2011, Certified Tree Risk Assessor No. 1006, Pacific Northwest Chapter, International Society of Arboriculture
2012, Board Certified Master Arborist No. WE-0102B, International Society of Arboriculture
2015, International Society of Arboriculture Qualified Tree Risk Assessor
2019, American Society of Consulting Arborists Tree & Plant Appraisal Qualification
rita McNeil
Rita has been working behind the scene for the past forty years as the business manager and is a part time field assistant. She is also a California Registered Dental Hygienist with twenty-five years experience, although her current position of CFO and editor-in-chief is a full-time position.
Todd McNeil
Todd is a Certified Arborist, #WE-11635A, a TRAQ Qualified Tree Risk Assessor, and holds a Tree & Plant Appraisal Qualification from the American Society of Consulting Arborists.
He specializes in development and construction projects, with a strong interest in tree biomechanics and risk assessment. He brings talents and experience with photography, computers, design software and is experienced with AutoCAD.
Todd also holds an AA degree from Diablo Valley College with an emphasis in audio recording, mixing, and mastering.