TUCSON, Ariz. (July 27, 2026) — Tohono Chul, the stunning 49-acre botanic garden, arboretum and nature preserve located at 7366 N. Paseo Del Norte, is sharing the sad passing of the park’s longtime fixture, Gumby, a rare crested saguaro that has been a highlight of Tohono Chul’s living collection since it was transplanted there in 1997.


After a lifespan of more than 100 years, Gumby began to suffer from bacterial necrosis, a disease that is a common killer of old saguaros. The Erwinia bacteria at the root of this illness are introduced through damage points in the saguaro caused by a variety of animals, ranging from nest-building birds to burrowing insects. While preventative measures can be taken, in most instances the bacteria will eventually prove fatal to the cactus.


Since arriving at Tohono Chul in 1997, Gumby sprouted new arms from his crest and has been a haven for generations of birds and other wildlife who have perched on his head or taken shelter in the three nesting cavities excavated into his flesh. Gumby has even been home to multiple prickly pears that have sprouted in folds in his skin, taking advantage of the thin schmear of soil collected there. Though he has passed, Gumby will continue to make a valuable impact at Tohono Chul.



“It is easy to love a saguaro, and it is natural to mourn the passing of these desert giants. And yet, in nature, death is never the end. As Gumby begins the long process of decomposition, he will form a so-called ‘rot-pocket,’ a crucial source of water in an arid environment,” explained Jack Dash, Tohono Chul’s gardens and facilities manager. “Slowly but surely, the decades of moisture stored in this plant’s cells will be distributed back to the ecosystem. Fungi, bacteria and insects are already at work on the rotting flesh of this cactus, turning the sweet-putrid ooze into new life. So, even in death, Gumby remains a part of the Tohono Chul family.”



Many of the Tohono Chul staff consider themselves lucky to have had Gumby onsite to enjoy for so many years, as at one time there were thought to be fewer than 200 of this rare species in existence. Now, the Sonoran Desert is home to well over 2,000 crested saguaros.


Though extraordinarily rare, a crest forms when cells in the growing stem divert from their normal circular pattern and begin to divide outward, producing a fan-like shape. The cause for this mutation remains a mystery. However, one common theory amongst botanists involves a “triggering event,” such as a freeze, that may initiate the unusual growth pattern. Each cristate is completely unique. For example, in his latter days, Gumby appears to be wearing a crown of prickly pear.


Gumby and other saguaros remain extremely vital at Tohono Chul and within the Tohono O’odham community, where the saguaro is revered as an ecologically and culturally important species. The saguaro fruit harvest signifies the beginning of the O’odham New Year, for example. In some O’odham traditions, the saguaro is even believed to have originated as an O’odham child, and the plants are considered kin.



For more about Tohono Chul, visit www.tohonochul.org.



About Tohono Chul: Located in Northwest Tucson, Arizona, Tohono Chul is a renowned destination that celebrates the cultural and natural wonders of the Sonoran Desert. With its stunning gardens, commitment to conservation and engaging events, Tohono Chul offers a captivating and immersive experience for everyone. For more about Tohono Chul, visit www.tohonochul.org.



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