Saguaro Cactus Cohort <<>> Outlived Their Mesquite Nurse Tree
The Saguaro cacti were seeded by a bird sitting on a tree branch. the nurse tree sheltered the cacti from scalding sun and wind until the tree died of old age. By then, the cacti were hardy enough to survive on their own.
I love the forensic or archeological types of observations the Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists taught us. In this example, it revealed the history of this group of young Saguaro cacti. Nothing beats good teachers!! Now, I always look for the nurse plant when I see groups of young Saguaros. While they may be young, on the order of fifty years or so, that's beyond the lifetime of the local trees.
IMG_4209 - Version 2
Saguaro Cactus Cohort <<>> Outlived Their Mesquite Nurse Tree
The Saguaro cacti were seeded by a bird sitting on a tree branch. the nurse tree sheltered the cacti from scalding sun and wind until the tree died of old age. By then, the cacti were hardy enough to survive on their own.
I love the forensic or archeological types of observations the Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists taught us. In this example, it revealed the history of this group of young Saguaro cacti. Nothing beats good teachers!! Now, I always look for the nurse plant when I see groups of young Saguaros. While they may be young, on the order of fifty years or so, that's beyond the lifetime of the local trees.
IMG_4209 - Version 2