The saguaro tree is a symbol of the American Southwest. With its distinctive tall, branch-like arms and thick, spiny trunk, it is an icon of the desert landscape. But one particular saguaro tree has a story that goes beyond its appearance.
This particular tree is estimated to be over 200 years old, making it one of the oldest saguaros in the region. It stands tall and proud, with its arms reaching out to the sky. But what makes this tree truly remarkable is what it has survived.
In 1982, this saguaro was struck by lightning. The shock split the tree in two, leaving a gaping hole in its trunk. But instead of falling over and dying, the saguaro kept on growing. It began to heal itself, slowly but surely, and eventually grew a new branch where the lightning had struck.
