No, chopping down a cactus in your own Mississippi yard is not a felony or illegal—unlike Arizona’s strict protections for native species like saguaro cacti on state or public lands.
Arizona Context
Arizona treats saguaro and certain native cacti as protected under A.R.S. § 3-902, making unauthorized removal or destruction a Class 5 felony if over certain sizes (e.g., saguaro >3 feet tall), even on private property without permits.
Mississippi Rules
No specific state law targets cacti; Mississippi regulates timber on state lands (Miss. Code § 97-7-65) and protected plants in parks or via agriculture rules, but not backyard vegetation like non-native cacti.
- Private property owners can remove plants from their own yard freely, barring local ordinances, HOAs, or endangered species (cacti aren’t native/endangered in MS).
- Issues arise only for state-owned timber, noxious weeds, or park harvesting prohibitions.
Key Differences
| State | Cactus Law Applies? | Penalty for Yard Removal |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Yes, natives protected | Felony possible |
| Mississippi | No, unless state land | None |
Local zoning might limit yard alterations; verify with county rules.
