It seemed to happen almost overnight. Thousands of ash trees started dying unexpectedly on every street in Cincinnati, Ohio. Parks and roads had to be closed due to fallen trees. The killer was a tiny green insect known as the emerald ash borer from Asia, and it was devouring native American ash trees at an alarming rate. First found in Michigan in 2002 it is now in 35 states in the US and is predicted to wipe out the entire ash species in all of North America in 20 years. Ash trees comprise between 10 – 40 percent of the native forest canopy in Canada and North America.

Trees in Trouble tells the compelling story of how one community in Ohio grappled with the crisis of losing their native ash trees to this unstoppable invasive insect. The film examines how cheap goods provided by global trade have huge financial, health and emotional costs for communities that must confront the crisis of invasives and pay the price as thousands of trees are removed and millions of dollars spent to prevent safety hazards. Strapped for cash, parks and roads were closed and tree lined neighborhoods became barren. The film also shows how citizens, scientists and public officials worked together to save their trees and mitigate the damage. Through tree plantings, seed banking and genetic research, as well as better monitoring practices, there is hope for the future.

Designed for audiences of all ages, Trees in Trouble inspires viewers to take action, and points towards first steps.