This cactus has an upright cylindrical, jointed mid green to bluish green segments that form a branched habit. It has clusters of pungent needle-like spines around the segments and the pink to purple cup-shaped flowers appear from late spring to summer.

Hardiness zones 8 to 11 

Opuntia imbricata is naturally found in southwest North America from Colorado, Kansas to Arizona and extending to Mexico growing in arid grassland plains. 

It prefers a very well drained moderately fertile sandy gravely soil in an open sunny position and is drought and light frost tolerant. 

Tree Cholla is grown for its upright habit andflowers. It is planted in arid gardens or rockeries or used as a potted specimen when young. It is suitable for coastal or inland regions establishing in 3-4 years and is moderately long lived. This plant is also found in cactus collections and is grown under glass in cold climates. ID 3087

Note:
In some countries such as South Africa this plant is regarded as a weed as it quickly self propagates.

Opuntia (o-PUN-tee-ah) imbricata (IM-bree-KAH-tah)    

Cactaceae (kak-TAY-see-ee)