Woodworking With Cactus?? | Arizona Made From Saguaro | Justinthetrees US Tree Map

I'm carving a map of the United States where each state is made out of wood from a uniquely important and interesting tree native to that state!
For episode 12 It's our most unique piece of wood yet! The skeleton from a saguaro cactus!
Watch and learn all about this absolutely fascinating plant.
Make sure to subscribe and watch the next 39 states get made out of 39 more fascinating trees!
Reminder, the only rules for which species of trees I choose for each state are: the tree must be native to the state (no introduced species at all), and no trees that were featured on the official state tree map!
Buy Tree Map merch! www.rangenative.com/state-tre...
#woodworking #trees

[@bebabaloubop]

I’ve never seen a cactus skeleton.

[@catholicshrimp4731]

That’s a sentence I’d never think I’d hear

[@Justinthetrees]

Aren't they cool??

[@bebabaloubop]

@@Justinthetrees extremely!

[@bebabaloubop]

@@catholicshrimp4731 fr

[@padenlisk2447]

Interestingly saguaros aren't the only cactus with skeletons. If you want to see something neat look up cholla skeletons.

[@Legoman693]

As an Arizonan, using saguaro cactus skeleton was the perfect wood for our state. Also, these grow literally everywhere. Once you leave the city, you’d be hard pressed to find 200 square feet without one of these on it.

[@shadowdfxcxv1234]

As an Arizonan I agree fully

[@alexsalamander4251]

totally agree!! even inside of phoenix they are not hard to find. the dbg also has some beautiful rare saguaro morphsi always love seeing

[@FlimsyIndo]

I guess I'm the odd Arizonan out. I absolutely love mesquite. It makes everything taste better. It branches out really well, creating shaded areas. I think the natives made flour out of the pods too. It's my favorite desert tree.

[@willwhitehorn3511]

speaking facts fr

[@cwbuilds9215]

​@@FlimsyIndomesquite is great but it's not even close to being unique to Arizona 🤷‍♂️

[@caderebstock]

Just a heads up, because the Saguaro fruit is sacred to the native people, they are the only ones that have access to the fruit and you won’t be able to get any from the National park gift shop. You might be able to find a shop where the natives sell some, but the National park services don’t touch the fruits.

[@Justinthetrees]

Oh yeah, I know! I should've been more clear but I was talking about visiting the region to get some syrup from some local native sellers, not the national park specifically, a good clarification for sure!

[@batsardcat3285]

I love how respectful and informative people are in this community

[@andeldre]

@@batsardcat3285 same also w username

[@uzileopard6199]

what if… hear me out… locals have just been going and getting their own fruits off the saguaros for years 🤯

[@Greendawn-di3dl]

@@uzileopard6199thats impossible you clearly need a middle man; people can't just go out and forage for crops. I mean what are we cavemen.

[@nixhixx]

I had no idea their internal structure was like that! It's gorgeous!

[@sherritaylor495]

I’m not sure if you can still find them but a lot of tourist shops had walking canes/ sticks made from the ribs of the saguaro.

[@mrsnufflegums]

As a person from Tucson, Saguaros are genuinely everywhere. It's actually really cool you did that for Arizona. Hopefully one of the other nearby states get done with a velvet Mesquite

[@XxWondering_CatxX]

As a Tucson human you really don't have to go far to find them but idk saguaro national Park is kinda overrated 😅 maybe it's cuz I live right there and see it often but idk

[@amistry605]

​@Xxwondering_cat Not overrated for me since I'm from Chicago lol. Saguaro National Park might as well be an alien planet 😂👍

[@XxWondering_CatxX]

@@amistry605 😂 yeah your right

[@amistry605]

@@XxWondering_CatxX 😆

[@BMarie774]

That’s so funny. Here in Florida, they’re SOOOOO EXPENSIVE! I’ve wanted one for so long. But they’re insanely expensive, even tiny cuttings.

[@Dirt994]

My grandma lived in Arizona and I fell in love with the “saguaro skeletons” growing up. They are so unique and beautiful. I visited the Desert Museum down there last fall and it is beautiful and so many cool plants and wildlife.

[@XxWondering_CatxX]

If you can I suggest coming in the winter "Some how Christmas hat just like spawn on the cactus 🌵" it's amazing to see and google Snow on the saguaro cactus Your welcome

[@Dirt994]

@@XxWondering_CatxX I have been during Christmas actually! It was so bizarre coming from the Midwest where there is snow.

[@XxWondering_CatxX]

@@Dirt994 occasionally it will snow and it's a sight to see

[@nitrade87]

Same! I love the desert museum, especially the enclosures with the venomous species of snakes. My brother almost stepped on a Diamond back there

[@Steveofthejungle8]

Hell yes I was hoping you’d use a saguaro skeleton for AZ! No choice fits the state better! And I went to Saguaro NP in February and it’s amazing!

[@Justinthetrees]

I was always intending on doing desert ironwood for Arizona (which would've been awesome of course) but once a viewer sent saguaro wood I was SO STOKED to switch that up.

[@GroundCTRL2MajorTom]

I didn’t even know cacti had skeletons! This was a very interesting video as always!

[@Justinthetrees]

Right? NATURE IS SO NEAT!

[@gujwdhufjijjpo9740]

Cactuses* Cacti is what you’d say if we were speaking Latin. We are speaking English.

[@GroundCTRL2MajorTom]

@@gujwdhufjijjpo9740 Oh vere? Latine loquor et cacti pergo dicere.

[@astranix0198]

​@@gujwdhufjijjpo9740Eh, Indexes, Indices.

[@waztroz]

@@gujwdhufjijjpo9740um actually 🤓🤓🤓

[@EthanFilms]

For 3d artists, the best way I can approximate this effect was by using anisotropy to bend the highlights like youd see in wood. I tried to make this effect using substance designer, trying to mimic what you'd see in like a pearl instrument inlay. Woodn't have known it was called Chatoyancy if it wasn't for this!

[@melimsah]

Grew up in Tucson and this made me SO proud of my homeland, and I was so worried you'd get facts wrong but nope, sounds like you got everything right, even pronounciations! Seriously, Saguaros are awesome. I have a small flash tattoo of one and I'd love to get a big watercolor-inspired tattoo of one some day. People just don't get how beautiful southern Arizona can be - it's one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen, and the saguaro is a big part of that for sure.

[@Justinthetrees]

Love this and glad I didn't disappoint! Researching this has me SUPER ready to hop in the car and head down to check them out myself. Deserts are such special places!

[@ShadyButFresh]

I just wanted to stop by and let you know that you inspired me to get out and get to know my local trees. Now 4 months later I have a fairly busy wood working side hustle that focuses on making items from locally sourced lumber. I have some beautiful spalted sycamore, elm, sugar and silver maple, hawthorn, you name it! Thank you for your incredible videos and for inspiring my wood working journey.

[@wizard-lizard]

As a Tucsonan I was really happy to see this build! I got to admit I was a little concerned about where you might have gotten the wood, but it's cool that one of the viewers was able to find some ethically! I hope you come to this neck of the woods and get to do some Saguaro fruit picking, since they're all in beautiful bloom right now!

[@thequimsnaim]

Between your description of it as a keystone species in it's environment,(flowers for nectarvores, shelter for birds, etc) and your mention of it's hardy support structure that can be used by humans as crafting material, It's stuck how similar it's role is to many trees. Thanks for the info Justin!

[@Erick_Cuevas]

I've lived in Arizona practiaclly my entire life, and nothing fills me with more pride and happiness that Arizona's getting the recognition she deserves. (Except all the new people moving into the state, that kinda recognition can stop, plz 😅) Growing up, you'd be hard pressed to find any kind of media or talk about AZ - let alone its fauna, unless itself mesquite trees. Having a whole video dedicated to the Saguaro feels like an odd but welcome form of validation, appreciation, and respect. Also, big ups to that subtle Catlctus ✨️CHETOYANCEY✨️. Loving this series, keep up the great work!

[@suzannaharbon4365]

Awesome! I’ve seen these everywhere all my life. Arizona rocks! My favorite saguaro is definitely the ones that grow limbs that look like Afros.

[@e-k3620]

As someone from Arizona and currently living there, i didn't realize how much I didn't know about our state... flower?, Tree? Cactus? Anyway I thank you for your passion and knowledge of plants and trees.

[@mabelvetta]

This channel is something I never knew I needed. 😊

[@jiabhatnagar7790]

This map is coming along so beautifully!! The wood is just gorgeous, and so is your craftsmanship!!

[@Ron_Jon2]

As someone who grew up in Arizona this video reminded me of so many memories that I had forgotten. Like being read picture books about the lifecycle and ecological importance by the school librarian. And road trips across the state to visit family. As soon as you leave any suburban or city area you are surrounded by them. As a child it's like having a bunch of friends waving as you go by.

[@ahuman566]

i am always happy to learn more things about my state and the life here, i think the saguaro is a perfect representation of arizona. Fun Fact: when i was a lot younger i gave a big ol' hug to one of these towering beasts, needless to say it didn't go too well.

[@Getnerfedkid]

NEEDLEss to say, hehehehehe

[@sydney9424]

As someone from AZ, it's so cool to see saguro being used.

[@Michael-cv5wk]

So excited for Minnesota! I know with it being a northern state it may be typical to think of a coniferous tree, but growing up in the southern half I can't state enough how gorgeous and plentiful the mature oak, maple, black walnut, and elm trees are here. I know those are very common though, just wanted to shout it out 😊

[@NutCase]

I never knew they have wood in them. But it makes since seeing the photos of bobcats and other animals climbing them. The wood is so beautiful!

[@efu707]

all cacti homicide jokes aside, it was a great video as per usual. i really appreciate the fact you're not just a woodworking channel, but an informative one at that. always look forward to your cooking vids :D

[@Rekct22]

I see the skeletons all the time when I go hiking. I never saw one cut like this before, this is awesome! I hope you enjoy yourself when you visit us!

[@fealubryne]

I remember reading about the uses of a saguaro as a kid and seeing pictures. It was especially fascinating to me as I grew up on a farm in the middle of Amish country in Pennsylvania, so the desert fascinated me. I'd like to get out that way someday!

[@redfailhawk]

My grandmother used to have one... in South Carolina. She collected Cacti when I was younger, something my curious child fingers always forgot. I remember hers being about three or four foot tall in a porch pot.

[@qur13n]

Have lived round here for 24 years. Used to hike in saguaro national park as a kid. It’s quite an interesting place. Though under the sun it is scorching. Just remember if you run halfway out of water your journey is half way done and it’s time to turn back. Edit If you can see it with snow on the ground it’s amazing. I’ve only seen it twice.

[@robertappel19]

So cool! Can’t wait for the next state on the map!

[@bayliweden6130]

My parents live in Wickenburg, AZ and are surrounded by these beautiful beasts! I was lucky enough to bring home some cholla cactus bones from my last trip down! 🌵 Beautiful piece dude! Perfect representation of Arizona! I've never seen anything made out of Saguaro bones, and it turned out amazing! ❤

[@rube1995]

I visited USA from Australia in 2017. One of my stops was at Saguaro National Park. It blew my mind learning about these awesome cacti. Beautiful place!

[@FireSpider24]

Saguaros are awesome plants! I had no idea you could do woodworking with them! Also, it would be great to see you make Kansas next! Maybe out of cottonwood, the state tree!

[@theawecat27]

I went to tuscon around a year ago it was amazing how many saguaros there were around it! They can be impressively big up close and i was really surprised to see snow on some at high altitudes. i've never heard of that internal skeleton before it's so cool!, and also looks beautiful on the map! can't wait to see if you ever do get some saguaro fruit. btw love the story if the shooter being killed by the cactus he shot

[@jaxroberts385]

That is some beautiful wood

[@Creepalius]

It is

[@tjas_]

As North Carolinians me and my mom nominate the River Birch! Its my mom's favorite tree and I remember always seeing it when exploring the trails near bodies of water! ♥️❣️

[@noth9617]

I’ve never seen something so cool. A big wooden map tailored specially to each state. You’re very creative to come up with that.

[@therontrickshots]

Amazing!

[@N_ExX]

What wood oil do you use? Wood looks amazing

[@Countrymansean]

Wood inside a cactus absolutely blows my mind. I saw a bunch of those things on a trip last year but had no idea they were secretly so cool.

[@lucksart13]

I live in the mountains of Arizona and we only get some prickly pear here. But my kids loved going down to the valley to visit family, and saguaro cactus were the landmarks that let my kids know we were close after a couple hours driving. So they always loved them! Thanks for teaching me stuff even I didn't know after living in this state my whole life.

[@ritz666]

I thought the 🌵 they showed in cartoons were imaginary 😂

[@Justinthetrees]

"They're real, and they're spectacular!"

[@mattrinne]

​@@Justinthetrees"Not that there's anything wrong with that."

[@ipza4968]

was that an i think you should leave reference WITHIN the first ten seconds?? glorious

[@kaylencox8313]

i've watched this entire series (up to this point) in one sitting and absolutley loved it! so many interseting facts and cool looking wood types! keep up this kind of video!

[@olliesaurusrex4103]

I have family in New Mexico and we've been around to Arizona and Colorado, so I'm very lucky to have seen a saguaro in person since I'm from the east coast. It's truly amazing, they're *massive* and they almost feel like sentinels in the desert because of their size and how they loom over you

[@KingRioT1]

Never imagines a cactus had that inside 😮

[@gigglechainaffect874]

I'm not sure if you've already covered this tree yet, but it would be cool if you did the Pacific madrone for either California or Oregon. It's such a beautiful tree and the berries are edible! :)

[@astoldb]

Omg I never expected for a cactus to be part of this series. So interesting to learn all of this!

[@autecology]

I really respect that you make woodworking about the tree, and not just the wood.

[@kate77k]

Where do you get the shapes for each of the states while also keeping it in proportion?

[@Justinthetrees]

I'm just using a blank US map I snagged on Wikimedia commons. I have the reference file on photoshop and use the divide slice tool to export each individual state to consistent printer-paper sized pieces.

[@kate77k]

Oh ok got it

[@878MrEnd]

I loved your video on kiidk'yaas you should make a video on General Sherman.

[@_glitchy_boi_]

Having lived in AZ for half of my life so far, this warmed my heart. Perfect addition to the map.

[@brutusthepug1012]

I was born in Tuscon, so I used to see these all the time. I moved away when i was 5, and this video opened the flood gates on a lot of childhood memories. I remember my grandparents had a massive one in front of their house had had fallen over, so my grandfather had it put back up and concreted it into the ground

[@madmarscha]

The bones are their money. So are the worms.

[@Justinthetrees]

He said he wanted something spooky

[@anri6060]

This video is the second time I've seen someone reference this joke today. I think it's a sign...🪱

[@lydia1634]

I spent ten years of my childhood in Tucson. So grateful the algorithm sent me here. We spent a big chunk of school learning about the Sonoran desert flora and fauna, and it hurts my soul how little anybody else in the US knows about it. I actually got into an argument with my Ohioan high school biology teacher about palo verdes, who didn't believe that photosynthesis could happen in bark. Anyway, this made me so happy.

[@aislinnm.b.7458]

I used to live right at the edge of the Saguaro national forest, so this episode felt especially special ;) You did a beautiful job on this piece

[@generalkenobi3307]

Walking through the Sonoran desert, there is millions of these saguaro, every one and a while id spot a fallen over saguaro skeleton. What a magnificent plant. I've also one seen one about 20m tall with like 50 arms at saguaro National park.

[@sammysam3067]

I can't wait to see the finished product it's already looking so beautiful

[@thesilversurferhackerking]

This is the first channel that I have heard talk about the saguaro cactus. Thank you for letting everyone know they do have a skeleton. It's so awesome you can walk through the desert find them everywhere usually it's just because they have gone through droughts didn't have enough water fold it over there skeleton couldn't hold them and then you find a saguaro skeleton. Fun facts from AZ!!!!!

[@EVERGLOW828]

Oh wow I couldn’t help but swoon over this beautiful saguaro 🌵 thank you for teaching me so much about trees.

[@logandavis4285]

the wildlife out here is so underrated man it’s beautiful

[@StarryRoses]

I am so very impressed! This might be my favourite state video of all!!

[@kyleeverly9243]

Another interesting thing about saguaros: in addition to needing a permit to move one, movers must be careful to face the cactus in the same direction it was orginally grown in. I was lucky enough to see one transplanted to a neighbors yard and the moves first came by in their truck with a compass on the dash to determine which angle to pick the cactus up from in order to place it the right orientation. As you can imagine for such a heavy plant, you need to get it right the first time. Its not like you can spin it

[@evphex]

This video was so good - it combined so many of my favorite things.

[@northernhills863]

Wow! Wow! Beautiful, fascinating wood! This is my favorite video yet! I had no idea about the ribs and internal wood of those giants; wonderful, informative episode!👍

[@lolbutt124]

It looks visually so interesting on the map!

[@graeknight6493]

This looks amazing! I can't wait to see what state you do next!

[@avaturchan2771]

wow, thanks for this awesome video on the saguaro and my state!! the piece is gorgeous!!

[@Voulinn]

This was incredibly cool and the piece turned out womderfully! Thank you for teaching us!

[@the22ndday]

I live in AZ and CA. I bought some saguaro seed and have a large one growing in my yard in CA now. It approx 6 1/2 ft right now.

[@oitthegroit1297]

I think the saguaro wood is my favourite one so far, it's so unique and adds a nice contrast on the map. I love it!

[@katyabandow712]

as someone said on a video before; please write a botany/woodworking/recipe book! your storytelling is so engaging and unique ❤️

[@ZackeryAschim]

Absolutely loved this episode. Great “wood”, cool facts and a National park to add to the list. What more could you ask for.

[@zombstergundamguy]

I only found your channel tonight and I have become an instant fan... I think I've binge watched nearly all of your regional maps videos. I'd love to see you tackle Australia and all our native trees. We've got some fantastic woodworking trees here, though a lot of them are quite hard... like we literally have the hardest tree in the world, the buloke (Allocasuarina luehmannii)...

[@reyniercampher3815]

Love this video. Most educational video that I've seen in a while. 10/10.

[@AlwaysSeverusAndLily]

Every single piece on this map is seriously so stunning

[@rosemcbride1813]

You remain one of my favorite learning sites. Thanks

[@wafflenerfy]

Holy biscuits, that turned out gorgeous!

[@moniquebear4544]

You make me homesick for AZ lol. I mostly grew up and went to college there but moved away well over a decade ago. I really do miss so many things about it, there really is nothing quite like stepping out into 110 degree weather, and it has the best thunder and lightning storms too. I took a plants of the desert class which I consider one of my favorite classes of all time, I still have a folder filled with pressed cuttings from various plants which was a project for that class. The saguaro wood was an amazing choice, it looks incredible.

[@lemon_the_spider]

I live in California and it's amazing when you drive from Cali to Arizona the instant you go over the boarder you see these cactuses! I truly believe these plants in some way shapped the boarders of the American West

[@abbilocke736]

Such a cool project and educational video,thank you for sharing!

[@DavidRodriguez-mp9nh]

As a native Southern Arizona native this is pure brilliance! Thank you for the beautiful work!

[@theofficialnoahwalton]

i grew up in the tucson Arizona area and lived there most my life so it was awesome to see this video. keep doing what you're doing

[@ellianah3864]

I live in Arizona and so I see them everywhere. They are truly so cool and huge! I've seen skeletons of them before just in nature but never noticed until now how interesting they really are!

[@Jonplays12]

Thank you for finally doing Arizona. I also think it’s cool How you used a cactuses ribs and also I see tons of the all the time when I go hiking around some mountains they are so beautiful

[@chromiumcat]

fascinating video! nature is just amazing, and this US state map is already looking so unique compared to the last one 😊

[@lyssums]

I love the saguaro- probably my favorite plant. Thank you! The wood turned out so neat too!

[@northernhills863]

Gorgeous! Thank you for the great video; so interesting! 👍

[@robynfree1558]

Wow! Just beautiful! That is soooo cool!

[@churrookie9340]

I didn't know about any of this, wow... super interesting stuff!! Really enjoyed your narrating!!!

[@geneard639]

I was driving thru Arizona when I saw them. The landscape is beautiful.

[@MadlyNadly]

This is so interesting and educational. I bet my niece and nephew would enjoy these videos.

[@brandihopkins6210]

Beautiful and informative. My two favorites.

[@Grayskayles]

I literally jumped from my seat the moment you revealed the *cactus skeleton*, which I had no idea was a thing and WOW IT IS SO COOL! Love listening to your tree facts, as always, and especially the longer-form videos

[@Prescilla24]

I learned so much and thoroughly enjoyed it all!

[@beedeer2907]

Another great episode!!! I always learn so much watching you! I find the birds living inside the Cacti especially cute and fascinating 🐤 it never occurred to me that Cacti could be both big and structurally sound enough for nesting but of course nature finds its ways ❤

[@indiegogurt]

This was so cool! I had no idea they had skeletons but I love that!!!

[@lesnosferatoez4577]

From Tucson and I was so (pleasantly) surprised to see you chose the saguaro. Such an iconic cactus I love them

[@alejandrocanett749]

Beautiful video!! Can’t wait to see New Mexico

[@BrosephJohnson]

your full length videos deserve so many more views always bangers

[@martinfahey248]

As a Arizona native this video was awesome! Perfect "wood" to represent the state. Love this map idea as well.