By Burt Graeff
Living in the Vail area, it is easy to have large Saguaro cactus envy. Even though Saguaros abound, not everyone is lucky enough to have a 20-foot, two-armed Saguaro in their yard. But all hope is not lost.
Numerous companies in the Tucson area specialize in transplanting large Saguaros from one property to another. I should know, I had it done. I worked with Southwest Cactus. The two men who did the work were Ricardo Chavez, 25, and his cousin, Benjamin Martinez. 17. They are outstanding at their profession.
The 22-foot Saguaro I purchased for $1300 has two arms and weighs an estimated two tons. It is about 125 years old. Transplanting a two-ton Saguaro is not like transplanting a two-foot Agave. A lot of work is involved. And, there must be a permit from the Arizona Department of Agriculture.
“We get Saguaros from all over the area,’’ Chavez said. “This one came from a residence in Oro Valley. Not everyone wants a Saguaro on their property. There are people just as happy selling them, and making some money.” My particular Saguaro was transported from Oro Valley to Vail on a truck specifically equipped to transport them.
Once on my property in Vail, it took four hours to do the transplant. When done, the Saguaro looked like it’s been there for 125 years. “That’s a big key,’’ Chavez said. “When we’re done, we want it to look like it’s been there forever.”
Another key aspect is that the Saguaro must be transplanted in the direction it originally grew. “It has to be replanted the way it’s been its whole life,’’ Chavez said. “It would not be good for the cactus to do it any other way.”
Interestingly, the planting ball wasn’t as large as one would think for a 22-foot cactus weighing about two tons. The hole it was planted in was about four feet deep, with substantial room along the sides. Soil, along with a mixture of rocks, was pounded all around the Saguaro. Southwest Cactus guarantees the work for one year.
“And,’’ Chavez said, “something else to remember. A large Saguaro like this one adds value to your property.”
Burt Graeff is a former sportswriter from Cleveland, Ohio. He and his wife, June, along with their Jack Russell terrier, Skip, have lived in Vail for ten years.
