I’ve been fascinated with the saguaro cactus since moving to the desert almost 9 years ago. It is the most recognizable symbol of the Sonoran Desert. The saguaro is respected by natives, adored by newcomers, and idolized by visitors.

There is a somewhat disturbing article about the threat of wildfires to the saguaro population in this month’s Phoenix Magazine. Wildfires are not a common event in the native Sonoran Desert which, due to lack of water, does not support undergrowth that fuels fire. With the significant increase in population that has moved to Phoenix from other areas of the country over the last 50 years, the desert has become home to many plants that are much more susceptible to wildfires. And this past winter’s rain served as fuel for a disastrous fire season that made victims of many saguaros that are highly sensitive to wildfires.

I’m lucky enough to have moved to Phoenix before the north Scottsdale housing boom of the last few years and still remember a time when the area was largely undeveloped and was mainly accessible by dirt roads that allowed weekend warriors to get an up-close view of the native desert. I know developers do their best to save as many saguaros as possible, but it is still a little sad to see the desert moving farther away (and the saguaros going with it).

I’ve been in the process of landscaping my CenPho backyard over the last year, and one of the final touches I’m planning to complete in the next couple weeks is planting a saguaro cactus. In the future, hopefully many more people will be inspired by the idyllic images we have in our minds of the desert Southwest and support desert landscaping that includes our friend the saguaro!

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