Growing up, ash trees dominated the woods surrounding my family’s property. They were among my favorite trees to climb, and the time I spent beneath their canopy helped inspire my passion for arboriculture. Over the years, however, watching those same trees decline because of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) transformed the issue from a distant ecological concern into something deeply personal.

At first glance, chlorotic foliage might seem like a minor cosmetic issue, but it’s actually a signal that the tree is struggling to produce enough chlorophyll. Without sufficient chlorophyll, the tree can’t efficiently photosynthesize, which limits energy production and affects nearly every aspect of its health.