About Apollo O’Neil
Apollo O’Neil is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist (BCMA, FL-6102B) based in Palm Harbor, Florida. He founded O’Neil’s Tree Service in 2008 and has been in arboricultural practice since 2006. He holds TRAQ and TPAQ qualifications and provides consulting, risk assessment, appraisal, and expert witness services throughout the Tampa Bay region. He co-founded Prospect Primer, an educational video platform for home service businesses, in 2019.
Background
Apollo founded O’Neil’s Tree Service in Palm Harbor in 2008. The company grew from a small local operation into one of the most credentialed tree care firms in Pinellas County, with six ISA Certified Arborists on staff and a team of over 25. He has encouraged and supported at least 15 members of his own team to earn ISA Certified Arborist credentials over that time.
His consulting and field practice spans complex risk assessment on large-canopy trees over structures, Resistograph and sonic tomography-assisted internal decay evaluation, plant health care diagnosis for Florida-specific pathogens and soil conditions, construction impact analysis, tree and plant appraisal, and expert witness work in civil litigation.
In 2019 he co-founded Prospect Primer with James Rockwell to make the education-first sales methodology developed inside O’Neil’s available to other tree service and home service operators.
Credentials
ISA Board Certified Master Arborist (BCMA)
Apollo O’Neil is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist (BCMA, FL-6102B) based in Palm Harbor, Florida. He founded O’Neil’s Tree Service in 2008 and has been in arboricultural practice since 2006. He holds TRAQ and TPAQ qualifications and provides consulting, risk assessment, appraisal, and expert witness services throughout the Tampa Bay region. He co-founded Prospect Primer, an educational video platform for home service businesses, in 2019.
Apollo O’Neil holds BCMA credential FL-6102B, first certified 2018.
Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ)
TRAQ is an ISA-administered qualification for structured tree risk assessment. TRAQ-qualified practitioners are trained to conduct Level 1, 2, and 3 risk assessments using the methodology documented in Best Management Practices for Tree Risk Assessment and to produce defensible written risk reports. Apollo has held TRAQ qualification since 2013.
Tree and Plant Appraisal Qualification (TPAQ)
The TPAQ credential qualifies arborists to conduct formal tree and plant appraisals using recognized valuation methodologies, including the trunk formula method and the cost approach. Appraisals are used in property damage disputes, estate valuations, litigation support, and situations where the monetary value of trees must be documented. Apollo holds TPAQ qualification.
Additional Credentials
ISA Certified Arborist: FL-6102A — 2009 (superseded by BCMA FL-6102B)
NCCER Crane Operator — Telescoping Boom Fixed, All Terrain, Articulating Boom Rotating — 2019
CPO Lawn and Ornamental License — through O’Neil’s Land Care
Professional Mangrove Trimmer — FL Dept. of Environmental Protection — 2012
Green Industries BMP — FL Dept. of Environmental Protection — 2011
CTSP — Certified Tree Safety Professional (previously held 8 years)
All ISA credentials are publicly verifiable at treesaregood.org
Awards and Recognition
Florida Chapter ISA Loren Westenberger Award — 2014 — for practicing professional principles of arboriculture consistent with the mission and objectives of the Florida Chapter ISA, to better the environment for future generations
Florida Chapter ISA President’s Award of Merit — 2017 — for outstanding meritorious services in advancing the principles, ideas, and practices of progressive arboriculture
Inc. 5000 — 2019 — O’Neil’s Tree Service recognized as one of the 5,000 fastest-growing companies in the United States
Industry and Academic Involvement
UF/IFAS Extension — Commercial Horticulture Advisory Board Member — 2012–2019
Pinellas Technical College — Horticultural Advisory Committee Member — 2013–2018
Guest Instructor — Arboricultural Review Classes, City of Clearwater and Pinellas Technical College — 2011–2019
Florida Tree Climbing Championship — Competitor, Volunteer, and Instructor — 2008–2019
Trees Florida Conference — Speaker, Professionalism in Our Industry — 2019
Florida ISA Annual Conference — Speaker
Alabama Urban Forestry Association Annual Conference — Speaker
Speaking and Training
Apollo speaks at industry conferences, property management events, and educational programs for arboricultural professionals. He developed the Selling Without Selling training framework for tree service and home service sales consultants, centered on education-first consultation, honest proposal practices, and ethical client engagement.
For speaking inquiries, contact the office at apollo@apollooneil.com
Contact
For consulting, risk assessment, appraisal, or expert witness inquiries, contact the office at 727.215.3600 or apollo@apollooneil.com.