How to Tell if My Saguaro Is Sick or Dying
The saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea) is a species of extremely large cactus in Arizona and western Sonora, Mexico. Many homes keep one of these spiny beauties as a landscaping feature in front of their homes.
Under the right conditions, a saguaro can keep growing for up to 200 years, reaching heights over 30-50 feet. But what happens if your saguaro is sick or starts to lean over? Is there anything you can do to save it, or is it time to look into saguaro removal services?
To answer those questions and more, read on for our expert guide on how to handle diseases in saguaro cacti and when it may be time to get a new one.
Is My Saguaro Cactus Ill?
Let’s start by answering the first and most important question: is my saguaro cactus sick, and if so, why?
Thankfully, there aren’t many different diseases to watch for. The only one most cactus owners will ever notice is saguaro necrosis. This disease, caused by the presence of Erwinia cacticida bacteria in a saguaro, spreads through insects and contaminated soil.
The first sign of infection is the development of small, lighter-colored spots. They may show up anywhere on the branches or trunk and often appear wet around the margins. Over time, these spots will blacken, crack open, and may leak a dark-colored, foul-smelling fluid.
When left untreated, the bacteria will spread throughout the rest of the cactus. It will continue eating away at the healthy tissue until you’re left with large, exposed areas of the internal woody “skeleton”. These weak points can cause your saguaro to lean and eventually topple over.
Prevention and Treatment of Saguaro Necrosis
Most bacterial necrosis infections come from external tissue wounds in your saguaro. If you treat these immediately, it’s more likely to stay healthy. The other most important preventative measure is to avoid planting a new saguaro in the same place as a previously infected one.
To treat necrotic lesions that are under 2″ across, use a sharp, disinfected knife to excise the area and then treat the tissue wound. Spots larger than 2″ often mean the infection has spread past the point of treatment. As such, it’s important to examine your cactus for damage regularly.
Alternate Reasons for an Unhealthy Saguaro
What about when your saguaro is sick but doesn’t have the telltale symptoms of necrosis? Other reasons for an unhealthy saguaro aside from disease include:
- overwatering
- excessive cold
- harsh weather conditions
- growing outside of its normal temperature/elevation range
Drastic color changes are some of the best early signs that your saguaro is unhealthy. If your cactus changes from a subtle blue/green/gray color to yellow, especially if it’s also floppy or shriveled, it may be suffering from root rot. To avoid this, only water your saguaro once the soil around it has completely dried out.
My Saguaro Cactus Fell Over, What Now?
When it’s hydrated, a full-grown saguaro can weigh upwards of 3,000 lbs. Because this shallow-rooted plant can reach such massive sizes, a saguaro cactus falling over can do massive damage to property (and people, if they’re nearby).
As such, you should never ignore a saguaro cactus leaning to one side, as it could be a sign that it will fall soon. Instead, call a saguaro removal expert to examine the plant and determine whether it can be safely left in place.
Can a fallen saguaro cactus be saved? Perhaps—it all depends on the reason it fell and how much damage was done.
If it fell due to substantial damage from bacterial necrosis, it can’t be saved. Cacti that topple over due to substantial root rot from overwatering or frost damage from a cold snap may also be at the end of their lives. The best course of action in these cases is to have it removed from your property and disposed of per Arizona law.
If your perfectly healthy saguaro blows over in a rainstorm and doesn’t sustain much damage, there’s still hope. Call the experts for help replanting it or moving it to another location. If the trunk is damaged, you may be able to re-root a healthy arm and propagate a new cactus.
How to Handle a Dead Saguaro Cactus
If you realize that your saguaro isn’t salvageable, it’s best to remove it and start fresh.
Before you jump into action, though, make sure you have a saguaro removal permit from the Arizona Department of Agriculture. While you’re legally allowed to remove any plants on your land, you have to notify the AZDA ahead of time for protected species like saguaro and yucca. Removal without a permit can result in felony charges.
For obvious safety reasons, you shouldn’t try to remove a saguaro on your own. Instead, find cactus removal companies in your area who have the specialized skills and equipment for the job. They can take care of the problem legally and without danger of injury.
If you decide on buying a new saguaro to plant in the old one’s place, make sure you’ve removed all the surrounding soil and replaced it with new soil. Pathogens can live in the dirt and infect a healthy cactus after it’s planted, so if you can’t replace the dirt, move the new plant to a different area.
Follow This Guide if Your Saguaro Is Sick or Dying
If your saguaro is sick, don’t give up hope. Taking preventative measures and treating the problem as soon as you notice it can help your beautiful giant recover and keep growing for decades to come.
If your saguaro is past the point of no return, it’s time to call the cactus removal experts at Jose Knows Trees for help. We can take care of saguaro removal in Phoenix and the rest of the East Valley. Give us a call or contact us online today to get a free estimate for our services.
Free East Valley Saguaro Maintenance + Removal Quotes
If you need help removing a saguaro, Jose Knows Trees (J&M Landscaping Services) can help! We have provided the best tree removal services in the east valley for a decade, and we specialize in cactus removal, too
The saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea) is a towering, iconic plant native to Arizona and western Sonora, Mexico. It thrives under the right conditions and can grow for up to 200 years, reaching heights over 30-50 feet. Many homeowners love having these spiny beauties as landscaping features, but what if your saguaro starts to show signs of illness or begins to lean? Is it time for a saguaro removal? Here’s what you need to know about caring for, diagnosing, and potentially removing a sick or unstable saguaro.
Is My Saguaro Cactus Ill?
The most common disease that affects saguaro cacti is saguaro necrosis, caused by the Erwinia cacticida bacteria. It spreads through insects and contaminated soil. Early signs of necrosis include small, light-colored spots that appear wet around the edges. Over time, the spots may darken, crack, and leak foul-smelling fluid. If left untreated, the bacteria will spread, damaging the healthy tissue and weakening the cactus. This can lead to leaning or even the cactus falling over.
Prevention and Treatment of Saguaro Necrosis
To prevent bacterial necrosis, avoid planting new saguaros in the same area as one that has been infected. For small lesions (less than 2 inches), you can remove the affected tissue using a sharp, disinfected knife and treat the wound. Larger lesions may indicate the infection has progressed too far to save the cactus.
Other Causes for an Unhealthy Saguaro
If your saguaro doesn’t show the typical symptoms of necrosis, it could be suffering from issues like:
- Overwatering
- Excessive cold
- Harsh weather conditions
- Growing outside its ideal temperature/elevation range
A color change from blue/green/gray to yellow, especially if the cactus appears floppy or shriveled, is a sign of root rot. Ensure your saguaro only gets watered once the soil around it is completely dry.
My Saguaro Cactus Fell Over, What Now?
A full-grown saguaro can weigh up to 3,000 pounds, and when it falls, it can cause significant damage to property or injury to people. If your cactus is leaning or appears unstable, don’t ignore it—contact a saguaro removal expert.
A fallen saguaro may still be saved, depending on the cause. If it fell due to damage from necrosis, overwatering, or frost, it may be too late to save it. In such cases, removal is recommended. However, if it fell due to a storm with minimal damage, experts can attempt to replant or re-root the cactus to restore it.
How to Handle a Dead Saguaro Cactus
If your saguaro is beyond saving, removal is the next step. Before you begin, ensure you have the necessary saguaro removal permit from the Arizona Department of Agriculture. It’s important to get permission for the removal of protected species, such as the saguaro, to avoid legal issues.
Tree or cactus removal requires expertise and safety precautions, so hiring a professional service is recommended. Specialists have the proper equipment and knowledge to remove your cactus safely and in compliance with Arizona laws.
If you plan to plant a new saguaro in the same spot, be sure to replace the surrounding soil to eliminate any lingering pathogens. If soil replacement isn’t possible, consider planting the new cactus in a different location.
Follow This Guide if Your Saguaro Is Sick or Dying
Don’t give up hope on your saguaro just yet! With proper care and early intervention, many cacti can recover and continue thriving for decades. If your saguaro has reached the point where it can’t be saved, don’t hesitate to contact Jose Knows Trees for expert saguaro removal services. We proudly serve Phoenix and the East Valley, offering professional cactus removal and care.
For a free estimate, call us today or contact us online. We’re here to help you keep your desert landscape safe and beautiful!
Free East Valley Saguaro Maintenance + Removal Quotes
If you’re dealing with a sick or fallen saguaro, Jose Knows Trees (J&M Landscaping Services) is here to help. For over a decade, we’ve been providing expert tree and cactus removal services throughout the East Valley. Get in touch today for a free saguaro removal quote!
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