The tree this Saguaro seems to be hugging is a Palo Verde. Saguaros and other plants take advantage of the shade provided by Palo Verdes and other trees which provide them with shade in the early stages of life. These are often referred to as "nurse trees".
However, given the respective sizes of the Saguaro and Palo Verde one wonders which came first, the cactus or the tree.
The tree this Saguaro seems to be hugging is a Palo Verde. Saguaros and other plants take advantage of the shade provided by Palo Verdes and other trees which provide them with shade in the early stages of life. These are often referred to as "nurse trees".
However, given the respective sizes of the Saguaro and Palo Verde one wonders which came first, the cactus or the tree.