The two eucalyptus trees that stand atop a hill overlooking Ventura, California, have become a symbol of the city. There have been trees there since 1898 — sometimes two, sometimes five — but they've always stood there as Ventura icons, despite drought, fire and vandalism.

Today, one is dead and one is a sapling, but their caretakers are more determined than ever to make sure that two eucalyptus trees remain sentinels of the city.