Chopping down a cactus is a felony in Arizona due to protections for native saguaro and other species on state or public lands, but in Maryland yards, no such prohibition exists. Maryland regulates invasive plants like bamboo and barberry through sales bans effective January 2026, yet cacti—native to arid regions—are neither invasive nor protected locally.
Arizona Protections
Arizona law (A.R.S. § 3-931) treats unauthorized removal or destruction of certain cacti as a class 4 felony on private property over a certain size, aimed at preventing illegal trade and habitat loss.​
Maryland Rules
No state or local Maryland statute criminalizes destroying cacti in private yards; focus remains on invasive species lists excluding desert plants. Homeowners face standard property damage liability only if harming a neighbor’s plant across lines.
Yard Implications
You can legally remove non-protected, non-invasive plants like cacti from your Maryland property without penalty, though check HOA rules or local nuisance ordinances for aesthetics. Protected species require permits if wild-sourced.
