I was walking out the door for my morning walk when I spotted a mighty saguaro that fell down and landed against a tree. That makes four that we’ve lost. I was afraid it was due to overwatering which can cause saguaro to rot and fall.
This one was completely dry at the base. My husband said it looked like the base rotted out. I looked it up, it’s called root rot.
Some of the saguaro are native while others are transplants:
We are thinking this one must be a transplant. It obviously didn’t have a great root system.
Transplanted saguaros often have a more damaged or less naturally formed root system, and may be tagged or have a history of being moved. Native saguaros, on the other hand, will have a more natural, established root system.
- Root system:Transplanted Saguaros typically have their roots trimmed during the transplant process. While they can regenerate roots, a lack of extensive, naturally developed root structure might be noticeable.
- Damage from transplanting:Look for signs of scarring or damage to the base of the cactus, especially if it was moved recently.
- Lack of natural habitat features:Saguaros in their natural desert habitat often grow on slopes or in valleys. A Saguaro in a perfectly flat, manicured lawn, for example, might be an indication of transplant. –Google AI
Another thing I learned about native versus transplanted saguaro is the transplanted ones can be discolored at the base. Native saguaros stay a healthy green.
The gardener came the very next day and said he’d get it out of the tree, but it couldn’t be saved. He said he’d cut it up with his chainsaw and would let it dry out before he hauled it to the dump. It weighed more than 1,000 pounds and was too expensive for him to deal with.
Here are two photos of the saguaro in it’s new shape:
It is interesting to see the insides of our saguaro.
I took a few photos of prickly pears while I was out on the driveway taking pics of the saguaro’s demise. I hope you enjoy them.
Have a nice weekend! Any exciting plans?
that was a huge plant! You can see how bad it was from the color near the base. Maybe some of the birds can utilize the inside pulp for food before it dries up totally? How many saguaros do you have left on your property now EA? Sadly there’s probably a decent chance any others will end the same at some point 🙁
This was the fourth we lost. I need to count how many we have left. We had one that fell that we were able to save. It looks a little sad with cracks and had supports holding it up for a year. But it made it. The first one we lost, we found out from neighbors that the prior owners were treating it to try and save it. I read the saguaro need open space around them. The ones that have fallen were next to other plants and trees.
Sad to lose this magnificent cactus.
It is sad and our gardener didn’t see it coming and neither did we.
Some flaws are hidden for the eyes.
Absolutely. We can’t see all the flaws in people or life.
Exactly! A life lessons hidden in this too.
😊
A beautiful cactus, but also interesting to see the cross section of it. No big plans for this weekend. Not sad about it though. Sometimes just being home is wonderful too.
We have no plans for this weekend, too. I’m thrilled about it. I had too much going on this week with friends, a neighbor having her first gallery showing for her art, friends taking us out for our anniversary, plus doctors appointments and more. It is interesting to see the cross sections of the saguaro.
Root rot, we have that here with the rains. I was just listening to ‘Another One Bites the Dust’ on the MJ station yesterday. Great song to exercise to! So interesting to see your neat yard and how nicely placed everything is. That was a huge plant. You might have heard it falling.
We didn’t hear it fall so it was a surprise. But that’s far away from our bed and it must have happened while we were asleep. The prior owners built the house and did all the landscaping 20 years ago. They did a good job, except if they planted the saguaro. They are supposed to be out in the open away from other plants and trees.
Oh, how sad. And when you think how long it takes them to grow…
😰
It is sad. I had no idea it was happening. Plus, I don’t think there’s much we could do to save it.
It’s sad… How long did it take to grow to such a size? And I have never seen one in real life. Greetings from Latvia 🙂
Thanks for the comment from Latvia! I’m sure you’re the first. The saguaro has to be at least 100 years old. Isn’t that sad?
Oh, it makes it even sadder!
Oh, I was so worried by this title. I’m sorry you lost a saguaro. They are such interesting vegetation!
It is sad to lose saguaros. Not only are they so majestic, they’re also expensive. To replace them it’s around $150 per foot! Also, I don’t think transplanted ones will last.
Sorry about the tree. It’s got to be disappointing! Ugh.
The saguaros are a protected here and so special.
That’s a bummer to lose a saguaro. Even in “the wild” they are really struggling.
It is sad. We have three left in the back yard and seven in front of the house. I hope they don’t end up in the same state with root rot.
That is such a shame. I would have been upset as well, I hate losing trees. (even prickly ones!) Seeing the inside is very interesting though–looks like art.
It was sad. A lot of galleries have the saguaro skeletons used in artwork.