World's largest saguaro

Nealz · Joined: 06 Jan 2003 Posts: 131 Location: Alpine, Arizona

Hmmm... Like AZ's highest peaks, I wonder if sombody has a 'top ten' list of largest saguaros. I haven't seen the one mentioned near Horseshoe Lake but the one on Coffee Flat Trail in the Supes would be a strong contender. I know that one has more arms than the Horseshoe geezer and I'd guess it's close to the same height. I hazily remember that a magazine, I think it was the now defunct Arizona Adventures, held a contest to find the tallest/largest saguaro. Anybody remember the story about the guy who was shooting at a saguaro until it fell over and killed him? Rolling Eyes

That was about ten years ago I think.

-Nealz

Arizonaheat · Posted: 6/4/2003, 2:00 pm Post subject:

http://hikearizona.com/phoZOOM.php?ZIP=5018

They have never seen this one, it has 57 or so arms and is every bit as wide around the base. I will have to measure it, and try to determine a height out of curiosity.

I have heard that story and think that perfect justice was served.

Nealz · Joined: 06 Jan 2003 Posts: 131 Location: Alpine, Arizona

mike · What box? Joined: 30 Dec 2002 Posts: 3134

Nealz, I recall an article in either "Get Out" or "Arizona Adventures" about a saguaro that was the State Co-Champion. Best I remember, that cactus was somewhere in the southwestern Superstition Wilderness. It could've been either the one you mention along the Coffee Flat trail, or the one in Arizonaheat's photo. There is also a very large saguaro in the the drainage below the Dutchman Trail, at the base of Miner's Needle. You can see it as you're making your way uphill from the Coffee Flat junction to Miner's Summit.

A bit of Arizona Adventures trivia... that magazine had a contest feature where they would show a photo from somewhere in Az, along with several clues. The first couple of people who mailed in the correct answer as to where the photo was would win a t-shirt. I won the contest once, the correct answer was "Aztec Peak" in the Sierra Anchas. Mr. Green

Still have the tshirt. That had to have been at least 6 years ago.
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Nealz · Joined: 06 Jan 2003 Posts: 131 Location: Alpine, Arizona

maryphyl · Posted: 6/5/2003, 3:16 pm Post subject:

Yo Nealz--Vann from Albuquerque is looking for you to invite you to dinner in Phx-- next week I think. MP
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Nealz · Joined: 06 Jan 2003 Posts: 131 Location: Alpine, Arizona

Well shucks, I'd enjoy that. Thanks, Mary for the FYI. I'll contact Vann. Take care.

-Nealz

desertgirl · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 3350 Location: Chandler, AZ

Daddee · Posted: 6/9/2003, 3:53 pm Post subject:

If I recall my information correctly there is some dispute between two different cactuses as to which is the world record holder for largest Saguaro.

One is in the Saguaro national momument. That was the old record holder and was pictured in the Guiness Book of World Records for something like 20 years.

However, around about 5 -10 years ago I read a report that someone had stumbled on a saguaro that was estimated to beat the old record holder by something like 1 or 2% all around. I forget the location, but it was somewhere in southern AZ (south of Phoenix), and they would not disclose the exact location for fear of destruction by morons.
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plummer150 · Posted: 6/12/2003, 12:41 pm Post subject: re:

Thats incredible!
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Daddee · Posted: 6/12/2003, 9:35 pm Post subject:

cactusjoe · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 3

See this web site for the list of 13 largest saguaro's according to the National Register of Big Trees and the Arizona Register of big trees.
http://www.angelffire.com/folk/cactusjoe/cactus.html.
See http://www.angelfire.com/folk/cactusjoe/hsl2.html for Photo's that channel 3 used on the largest saguaro story.

cactusjoe · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 3

regarding http://hikearizona.com/phoZOOM.php?ZIP=5018
Take a look at http://www.angelfire.com/folk/cactusjoe/tontonf1.html
Top sure looks like the same one to me.
This one is the smallest of the list of 13.
As I am looking for more photo's of these saguaro's, may I add your photo to the tontonf1.html page?

Arizonaheat · Posted: 6/25/2003, 3:54 am Post subject:

Cactus Joe, yes it is indeed the same one. It really surprised me that it is number 13 on the list, but it does have the most arms. I'm gonna take some insturments and measure that baby next time I pass by.

Yes I would be happy to have you add it to the tonto1.html page.
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