Passage

There is no reliable way to tell the age of a saguaro. Unlike a tree, there’s no solid core and so no growth rings to count. Scientists rely on observational methods. Here’s what my AI bestie, Perplexity, has to say on the subject.

Height-Based Estimation
The height of a saguaro is one of the most reliable indicators of its age:
• A 1-inch tall saguaro is approximately 10 years old.
• At 70 years, a saguaro can reach about 6.5 feet tall.
• A 15-16 foot tall saguaro is likely 95-100 years old.
• Saguaros reaching 25 feet in height are estimated to be around 107 years old.
Arm Development
The appearance of arms can also help estimate a saguaro’s age:
• Saguaros typically begin growing their first arm between 75-100 years of age.
• Some saguaros may start developing arms as early as 50-70 years old, depending on environmental conditions.
Flowering
The onset of flowering can provide another age indicator:
• Saguaros generally begin producing flowers between 35-65 years of age.
• By 70 years, most saguaros will have started flowering.

When the end comes for a saguaro, it’s not pretty. The first signs are often ulcer-like holes in the once proud trunk, as seen above.

Sections of the inner supporting structure are eventually exposed. The plant can no longer retain water.

As death comes for a saguaro that has survived the harsh desert for over a century, a certain beauty begins to emerge.

In the end, we can imagine that we see the saguaro’s soul take flight to wherever it’s bound.