Saguaro cactus

[Gunslinger808]

From when I first moved to Arizona till now, I've always been facinated with the Saguaro (or Sahuaro) cactus.
These things are a regular part of our backdrops and photos here in Arizona, and yet we tend to overlook them.
Gene Autry movies just wouldn't be the same without them!
They can grow 60 foot tall, live for Centuries, and survive hurricaine force winds, yet are so delicate that one miss-placed shot can kill a 200 year old specimen.
You've seen them in all the old westerns, and probably recognize them as one of the icons of the Southwest not even realising what they are.
They grow only here in AZ, and a very narrow band in Mexico.
A few of my favorites, they were here before me, and will be here long after I'm gone.

This old man is my personal favorite, he can be seen on the drive between Florence and Tucson:

This one is at least 30 foot tall:

And they live through snow, freezing times, and drought:

Heck, if you take pics in our area they're as part of the landscape as dirt!:

focus on the background ya pervs!

 

[chud333]

Cactus....What cactus ????

Now what was this thread about again??


Chuck

 

[Riverkilt]

Lived down in Phoenix for 35 years before coming up to the canyonlands. Some years ago a young drunk took a shotgun to a saguaro. He walked around it and around it shooting round after round into it trying to "chop it down." He got the job done but when the saguaro fell it fell on him and killed him. They're heavy suckers. Gotta love Darwin.

 

[JJEH]

AZ is just awesome!

 

[timn8er]

Cactus....What cactus ????

Now what was this thread about again??


Chuck

.

In regards to the last pic...Exactly! Great post & great info on the cacti. I had no idea that they lived that long & grew that tall.

 

[rwsmith]

Organ Pipe

I enjoyed our trip through Organ Pipe monument. We walked out among the saguaros and saw some great specimens. Huge. Did you know that they sing?? When the wind blows though them they give off sounds like a soft organ pipe. I wonder if this is why it's called 'Organ Pipe Monument"? I was also amazed at the amount of wild life in the area.

 

[jaykellogg]

If I am not mistaken they are protected by law in AZ. I know you can buy them from landscapers. I also heard that the "arms" are grown to provide some balance.

 

[yaktamer]

They really are amazing. Pictures don't really do them justice, particularly in conveying their size. The thing that I found most interesting is that they won't grow any "arms" until they are about thirty years old.
How Old Is That Saguaro?

 

[Mickey D]

I see what you mean about it getting cold down there.

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

The Saguaro cactus is one of Arizona's desert wonders, but they are delicate in a few ways and can be easily damaged. One of your photos show a Saguaro with a downward bent arm. That was caused by the arm freezing and dying during extremely cold weather. The root structure is close to the surface and can be damaged by people walking too close. The biggest threat to them is lightning during thunderstorms. One hit from a lightning bolt will instantly kill the whole plant and turn it into a black, gooey mess that will soon fall to the ground. When that happens they become a home on the desert floor for many other animals to live in. It is said that that needles, some of which can he 2 inches long, where used by the Indians for sewing and other uses. They are as sharp as any needle you can buy in a store.

Saguaro Cactus Fact Sheet

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saguaro

Nice looking rifle BTW!

 

[gunlovingirl]

I love Arizona scenery and history. I always enjoy the photos that John posts, along with his history lessons. Thanks for sharing the beautiful photos Gunslinger! Some day I'm going to see it in person!

 

[wuluf]

Lived down in Phoenix for 35 years before coming up to the canyonlands. Some years ago a young drunk took a shotgun to a saguaro. He walked around it and around it shooting round after round into it trying to "chop it down." He got the job done but when the saguaro fell it fell on him and killed him. They're heavy suckers. Gotta love Darwin.

I remember that!
I love the Saguaros deorated with lights for Christmas..

 

[A10]

That is some beautiful country down there..........

 

[RightArm]

Lived down in Phoenix for 35 years before coming up to the canyonlands. Some years ago a young drunk took a shotgun to a saguaro. He walked around it and around it shooting round after round into it trying to "chop it down." He got the job done but when the saguaro fell it fell on him and killed him. They're heavy suckers. Gotta love Darwin.

I've heard a few people a year die this way.
DON'T MESS WITH THE CACTI.
They'll kill you, man.

 

[Arik]

Mmmmm......tequila!

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[PALADIN85020]

Great pictures, although I noticed no saguaros in that last one!

Here is a shot I took not long ago near our home of a gathering storm over Squaw Peak - that's one of the many saguaros in the area - just a young'n.

John

 

[Ranger514]

I remember hearing or reading that thieves are stealing the smaller, younger saguaros off public and private lands. They dig them up, cart them off, and sell them for landscaping.

 

[shouldazagged]

I see what you mean about it getting cold down there.

Shame on you! (I thought the same thing.)

I've seen incredible pictures of the saguaros when they get the chance to fill up with water and become almost barrel-shaped. Is it true they can last up to a year on one fill-up?

And don't they also provide homes to some kinds of woodpeckers? I don't imagine the birds would worry much about predators climbing up to take the young'uns.

Great photos, thanks.

 

[PALADIN85020]

Shame on you! (I thought the same thing.)

I've seen incredible pictures of the saguaros when they get the chance to fill up with water and become almost barrel-shaped. Is it true they can last up to a year on one fill-up?

And don't they also provide homes to some kinds of woodpeckers? I don't imagine the birds would worry much about predators climbing up to take the young'uns.

Great photos, thanks.

They are home to the cactus wrens, who bore out holes in them for their nests. The cactus wren is the official Arizona State Bird. The unofficial State Bird can be found most any weekday on the freeways during rush hours.

John

 

[JJEH]

I'm 6' tall.