Tucson is Home to the Great Saguaro Cactus

by Russ Lyonrealtor

Saguaro National Park is a magnificent desert preserve that protects some of the most impressive forests of these majestic cacti ? and it?s located right on the edge of modern-day Tucson, Arizona. The Park is just one of many reasons so many individuals, couples and families of all ages love purchasing a home or real estate in Tucson, Marana and Oro Valley area ? they get to enjoy life in this stunning desert environment.

Saguaros (pronounced ?Sa - WAH ? ro?) are only found in the Sonoran Desert, and in fact, a silhouette of this towering plant is a universal symbol of the American West. Lucky Tucsonians and their guests have plenty of opportunities to savor a spectacular scene of thousands of these statuesque desert-dwellers as they clamber across the rugged landscape, in particular in the two districts of the sprawling Saguaro National Park.

Along with breathtaking drive-by scenery, the Park offers more than 165 miles of hiking trails, and by ?hiking,? we mean that a hike at Saguaro National Park can be an easy stroll on a short interpretive nature trail or a day-long wilderness trek for the most experienced outdoor enthusiasts. Both districts of Saguaro National Park boast a variety of trails, with more information to be found on their website.

A bit about saguaros, courtesy of the National Park Service: Saguaros are extremely slow-growing, with local studies showing a growth rate of only one to 1.5 inches in the first eight years of life. At Saguaro National Park, branches normally begin to appear when a saguaro reaches 50 to 70 years of age, while in areas of lower precipitation; it may take up to 100 years before arms appear. An adult saguaro is generally considered to be about 125 years of age and may weigh six tons or more and be as tall as 50 feet. The average life span of a saguaro is in the range of 150 - 175 years of age; however, biologists believe that some plants may live over 200 years.