Claremont saving trees despite water restrictions for drought

CLAREMONT, Calif. (KABC) -- Claremont is pouring resources into saving its trees despite severe statewide water restrictions.

The city is keeping tabs on its 24,000 public trees to prevent them from rotting out and falling over. For the few trees that do die, city arborists identify them and work on plans to uproot them.

"Trees provide a benefit that grass just doesn't. It provides shade. It provides oxygen. It provides mental health," said Bevin Handel, a spokesman for the city manager's office. "We want you to get rid of your grass. We don't want you to get rid of your trees."

Watch Leo Stallworth's full report in the video above.

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