PROFILE: James Neal, the president and owner of Neal's Tree Experts corp., has been involved in the tree industry for 25 years. He received a Bachelor of Science in Forestry degree from Purdue University in 1980. During his college years he worked part-time for a local tree firm where he began to develop his skills in tree climbing and tree maintenance. It was then that his passion for this industry really blossomed. Upon his return to New York, he went to work for his father who had been operating a tree business since 1956. He further developed his field skills and shortly became an excellent tree climber and was promoted to foreman. When he wasn't in the trees, he continued to broaden his knowledge by studying and then attaining a spray applicators license from the Department of Environmental Conservation in 1984. Continuing his pursuit of excellence in this field, he attended many seminars and later received his license to perform systemic injection treatment to trees with the Mauget system. In 1988, Mr. Neal decided to branch out and purchased Neal's Tree Experts Corp. from another relative of his that was also in the business. Recognizing the continued need to stay current with the rapidly changing industry, Neal's Tree Experts immediately became a member of the International Society of Arboriculture. After even more studying in this field, Mr. Neal became a Certified Arborist by passing a very comprehensive exam held by the I.S.A. in 1997. He has always gone out on a limb for his customers. He has always felt that Arboriculture is both an art and a science and if performed by caring, qualified individuals can preserve our valuable plants for years to come.