Unbranched Joshua Trees

From Joshua Tree National Park:

Is this going to be the spring these triplets bloom for the first time?

Researchers believe a freeze is vital to the growth and maturation of Joshua trees. It’s thought that the freeze damages the growing end of the branch which stimulates blooming and subsequent branching.

[NPS Photo by Brad Sutton; Unbranched Joshua trees weather freezing conditions on the Barker Dam trail]