Can I Salvage My Broken Saguaro Cactus?

Question

My very tall saguaro cactus broke in the middle and the top half toppled to the ground. See attached photo. There is however about ten feet of the cactus remaining upright and in the ground. Can this part of the saguaro be salvaged, or should I just have it taken down with the removal of all the other cactus parts on the ground?

• 

Answer 1

If it broke due to decay it is usually better to remove it before it gets to an advanced stage of decay. If it was otherwise healthy, you could let it heal over. However, now it is susceptible to rot bacteria and insect invasion till it heals. Here is more information about Saguaro problems:

https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/pubs/az1962-2021.pdf

https://extension.unr.edu/publication.aspx?PubID=2760