No, chopping down a cactus in your Wisconsin yard is not illegal under state law. Unlike Arizona’s strict protections for native saguaro cacti, Wisconsin treats privately owned plants like cacti as personal property without specific prohibitions.
Protected Species Rules
Wisconsin law safeguards endangered or threatened wild plants only on public lands or property you don’t own, requiring permits for removal. Common ornamental cacti, such as prickly pear (native to southern Wisconsin), fall outside these categories unless classified as rare.
Yard and Local Factors
On private property, you can remove plants from your own yard without state penalties, though local ordinances might address neighbor disputes or invasive species transport. No felony or criminal charges apply statewide for backyard cacti.
