Saguaro National Park, Tucson AZ

March 12, 2016

When one thinks of desert vegetation, one instantly conjures up a cactus, more specifically, the picture we all have in our minds is of the Saguaro cactus (pronounced sa-wa-ro).  These cacti are loyal and exclusive citizens of the Sonoran desert, in Arizona and Mexico, while a few plants stray as far as Eastern California.  

The Saguaro National Park was created in 1933 to help preserve this symbol of the American South West.

Spring is coming to the desert and things are beginning to bloom!

Other species of cacti such as this blooming barrel cactus are found in the Saguaro National Park 

 

The Park has an 8-mile driving loop threading its way through the stands of Saguaro.
 

Saguaro are a very slow growing cactus, with a potential lifespan of 150-200 years.  They might be 1.5" tall after 10 years.  The branches or arms may begin to grow at about age 75 years!  These arms generally bend upwards and can be as numerous as 25!  Of course, there is always the exception to the rule as shown below...with a contrarian whose arms are pointing downwards...

Saguaro can be quite the desert giants, attaining a height of up to 40-60 feet. When rain is plentiful and the saguaro is fully hydrated it can weigh between 3200-4800 pounds.

There was some concern over the last several decades about the diminishing population of Saguaro in the Park.  Theories to explain this ranged from weather (too many long lasting frosts), theft (yes, theft!), proximity to urban development and overgrazing within park limits.  Conservation measures have been taken such as disallowing access to farm animals and micro-chipping cacti to deter theft...

We left the Park as the sun was just beginning its descent and were safely tucked in at our campground by the time it was fully dark.  A very busy day in the desert!