I am sure many of you have driven around Sun Lakes and noticed that some of the Saguaros have lost some limbs.
Saguaro cacti are iconic symbols of the desert landscapes in the southwestern United States. This is particularly true in Arizona where it is considered by most to be the unofficial state “tree” due to its prevalence and longevity. The Grand Canyon State's official tree is the Palo Verde, but the saguaro's beautiful white blossom was chosen as the official state flower.
The arms of saguaro cacti can indeed fall off due to various natural and environmental factors. Here are a few reasons why saguaro arms might fall off:
- Age: As saguaro cacti age, their arms can become weak and brittle. Older arms are more likely to fall off due to their reduced structural integrity.
- Wind and Storms: Strong winds, monsoons, or other severe weather events can exert significant forces on saguaro cacti. If the cactus is already weakened or if the wind is particularly powerful, it can cause the arms to break and fall off.
- Disease and Insects: Infestations by insects (like boring beetles) can weaken the inner structure of the cactus making it more susceptible to arm breakage. Diseases or infections can also compromise the cactus's health, leading to arm loss.
- Moisture Imbalance: Saguaro cacti have a shallow root system that allows them to quickly absorb water after rainfall. If there's a sudden influx of water followed by dry conditions, the cactus can take up more water than it can support, leading to a rapid expansion of the plant. This expansion can put stress on the arms and cause them to fall off.
- Human Activities: Sometimes, human activities such as vandalism or accidental contact can cause saguaro arms to break off. People climbing on or near saguaro cacti can damage their arms, leading to eventual detachment.
- Natural Growth and Development: In some cases, saguaro cacti naturally shed arms as part of their growth and development process. This can happen when a cactus reaches a certain height and weight, and its arms become too heavy to be supported by the main stem.
- Extreme Nighttime Temperatures: The saguaro is meant to tolerate drought and extreme daytime temperatures. What it can’t tolerate is the temperature not dropping below 90 degrees at night making it unable to cool itself off, and this essentially cooks it from the inside. When this happens, they do not need water… that will make the situation worse.
It's important to note that while saguaro arms falling off is a natural phenomenon, it's also crucial to protect these cacti, as they are a vital part of the desert ecosystem and can take many years to grow. Disturbing or damaging them can have negative impacts on the local environment and the wildlife that rely on them for food and shelter. One thing you can do to protect your saguaro is to plant native plants that don’t require any irrigation around the base of your cactus. Plants such as creosote, AZ sage, or desert milkweed are good options.
The Kolb Team
BINSR- Residential Buyer Inspection Notice and Seller’s Response
Buyer's Inspection Notice and Seller's Response is a form in a residential real estate transaction known as the BINSR.
Therefore, the BINSR is an addendum to the Arizona Association of Realtors Residential Purchase Contract. This allows the Buyer to request repairs and the Seller to respond.
Buyer Inspections and Investigation Completed
Seller's Response
Buyer's Election
It’s important to realize - the Buyer's Inspection Notice and Seller's Response is not a tool to renegotiate a different purchase price. Be that as it may, there are times when both parties may agree to a credit in lieu of repairs at the close of escrow. This may be the case when the Buyer prefers to have his or her own contractor do the work or in a situation when the close of escrow has a short timeline.
Meet this month’s Pet of the Month: Jake from Oakwood!
“I’m a 5-year-old rescue Dachshund and Beagle mix! I love taking walks and meeting all of my neighbor friends. Here’s my picture, taken at Arts at the Lake 2023 in Cottonwood.”
If you would like your pet to be featured in our Pet of The Month and win a Chewy gift card for your sweet family member, send a picture to info@thekolbteam.com and tell us why your furbaby makes you happy. We look forward to seeing all of your awesome pet pics!
Recipe of the Month
Crustless Apple Pie
Ingredients:
- ½ C sugar
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
- 1 C water
- 6 medium-sized cooking apples, washed, cored, and cut into eighths
- 1 C flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 6 tbsp shortening
- ½ C brown sugar
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Blend sugar and cinnamon in a large heavy saucepan. Stir in water and apples. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and cook for 10 minutes.
- Sift flour and baking powder together and set aside.
- Put shortening in a mixing bowl and cream it with the brown sugar. Add the flour mixture gradually.
- Turn apples and syrup into a greased 9-inch pie pan.
- Bake at 350°F for 35 minutes or until apples are tender and the topping is browned.
Shred-A-Thon
FREE on-site shredding of documents and computer hard drives. Hard drives must be be removed from devices.
Location: Field of Dreams Softball Field
Date: October 28, 2023
Time: 8AM – 10AM
We will once again be collecting pantry food items for our friends at Jacob’s Mission.
ASA Now and Jacob’s Mission brings awareness to Arizona’s foster care crisis and creates opportunities for our community to volunteer to impact the lives of our most vulnerable population: children who were abused, abandoned, or neglected at the hands of the very people who were supposed to protect them.
To serve children, youth and families directly impacted by foster care, ASA Now created a “one-stop” healing space where immediate needs are met and tutoring for children who have fallen behind educationally are rendered. Extracurricular activities are provided to offer healing and joy. Birthdays and graduations are celebrated. Life skills and mentors are provided for youth close to aging out.
More Arizona Fun Facts! How Many of These Did You Know?
While the Grand Canyon is certainly our best known natural wonder, there are several others that are popular with tourists and residents alike. Some of the most visited spots in Arizona include Lake Powell and Rainbow Bridge, Meteor Crater, Chiricahua National Monument, Petrified Forest and Painted Desert, Havasu Canyon, Grand Canyon Caves, Salt River Canyon, Oak Creek Canyon, Superstition Mountains, and Saguaro National Park. Have you gone to see these beautiful natural wonders?
Speaking of traveling around the state, if you plan to go to Prescott on a horse, you’re not allowed to ride it up the stairs of the county courthouse. We hope that information doesn’t put a crimp in your plans.
If you’ve been to Lake Havasu City, you’ve probably noticed the bridge. Did you know it was shipped over piece-by-piece from London, and that’s it’s the original London Bridge? It began to sink into the Thames River, and after being replaced, the stones were put on sale in 1967. Robert P. McCulloch, Sr. bought all 10,246 for $2.46M in the spring of 1968. They were shipped to Arizona and the bridge reconstructed for $3M and opened in 1971. Kathy Alexander took this beautiful photo.
Jerome’s copper mines closed in 1953, and all but about 50 people left to find work and housing elsewhere. Before that, it was a populated, raucous, happenin’ place!
Dubbed Queen of the Copper Mines, Bisbee also dwindled after its high times as a mining town, but way back when, it was the largest city you could find between San Francisco to the west and Saint Louis to the east.
Gunfight at the O.K. Corral
Some call it a battle, others a shoot-out, also a gunfight, but oddly enough, the real point of contention with the name of this event is that it actually didn’t even happen at the O.K. Corral! The Clantons and Earps had their 30-second shoot-out between C.S. Fly’s (a 12-room boarding house and photography studio combo) and the Harwood house on Tombstone’s Fremont Street in a vacant lot. As if William Harwood being known as Tombstone’s first elected mayor wasn’t enough, his surname is attached to perhaps the most well-known gun battle of “The Old Wild, Wild West”. The O.K. Corral was nearby though, and “Shoot-Out at the O.K. Corral” certainly rolls off the tongue easier than “Shoot-Out Between the Boarding House / Photography Studio and Ol’ Mayor Harwood’s Place”.
Though it is commonly believed otherwise, at the time of the famous gun battle, Virgil Earp was Tombstone’s Marshal – not his brother Wyatt as many mistakenly think. Virgil was also a Deputy U.S. Marshal at the time. Earp brothers Wyatt (pictured below) and Morgan, and also Doc Holliday, were deputized as Tombstone marshals under Virgil a few days before the shoot-out.
So, how did you do? The history of Arizona is pretty fascinating! You can also check out this previous newsletter for more Arizona factoids. In future newsletters, we’ll share more Arizona trivia and dig deeper into some of the fascinating facts!
See What Our Clients Are Saying!
“I was impressed with your team’s knowledge and skill as an active adult community expert!”
Howard and Mary Lou
- ABQ
Searching for That Perfect Home?
When looking at pictures online, it can be tricky to figure out the layout of a home. We can help you with that! On our website, you can access the most popular floor plans in Sun Lakes, AZ. Just click the button below!
Buyers of the Month
We have buyers who are ready, willing, and able to purchase and can’t find homes. If you or someone you know is thinking of selling and can accommodate, get in touch with us.
We have your buyer!
- Buyers in search of golf course view in Cottonwood with a fireplace, at least 2 bedrooms, and office space.
- Buyer looking for a home in the 2000-square-foot range. Would like a split bedroom floorplan with a nice private backyard.
- Buyers looking for a single-level, updated home with 2 masters, would like en suite bath in the second bedroom.
- Buyers in search of an updated Barcelona with at least a 2.5-car garage. Would love to have a view, but a nice yard would be fine as well. Also, would like a casita.
Recent Real Estate Sales in Sun Lakes
Wondering about your Neighbor’s Home Sales Price? Find out here to see what sold last month. The report is broken down by HOA, address, and floor plan (if the agent listed the model in MLS).
Vendor of the Month
Are you thinking of creating or updating your will, or do you need a trust? Call 480-456-1144 and speak to the experts at Harowitz & Morrison, PLLC. Their friendly and professional staff are happy to help! Check out their blog with useful information here!
We Are Committed to Helping End Polio Now!
We will donate $100 in your name to end polio around the world, when you list your home for sale with us!
You may also donate directly here
Would You Like a Free Buyer Guide or a Seller Guide?
Get Insider Information
We live, work, play, and volunteer in Sun Lakes and we know the ins and outs of this community.
As always, if you or someone you know is considering buying or selling a home,
we are here year-round and would love to help! Visit us online at
TheKolbTeam.com or call 480-809-5759.
