No, chopping down a cactus in your New Hampshire yard is not a felony or illegal under state law, unlike Arizona’s strict protections for native saguaros on public or private land. New Hampshire lacks specific cactus regulations, treating them as typical yard plants without protected status. Local ordinances might apply if it’s part of landscaping rules, but no statewide felony exists.
Native Plant Protections
New Hampshire safeguards endangered or threatened native plants via RSA 217-A, prohibiting unauthorized taking, sale, or transport, but cacti aren’t native or listed there. Invasive or exotic plants face restrictions on planting/sale (e.g., certain aquatic weeds), yet no bans target common yard cacti like prickly pear.​
Yard and Property Rules
Homeowners can generally remove non-native plants from private yards without permits, subject to municipal zoning on tree/shrub removal or HOA covenants. No evidence of cactus-specific laws; focus is on forests, wetlands, or invasives rather than desert species unlikely to thrive locally.​
Arizona Contrast
Arizona deems saguaro destruction a felony (up to 25 years for large ones) due to cultural/ecological value, but New Hampshire’s temperate climate and flora make such rules irrelevant. Verify with local codes before acting to avoid nuisance claims.
SOURCES
[1](https://www.stateregstoday.com/health/animal-welfare/wildlife-conservation-and-protection-laws-in-new-hampshire)
[2](https://workerscomplawattorney.com/new-hampshire-tobacco-laws-age-limits-licensing-and-penalties/)
[3](https://www.stateregstoday.com/health/animal-welfare/exotic-animal-ownership-and-exhibitions-in-new-hampshire)
[4](https://www.nationalplantboard.org/uploads/1/3/6/7/136771235/new_hampshires_rules_and_regulations_summary_2022dec19.pdf)
[5](https://law.justia.com/codes/new-hampshire/title-xix/chapter-217-a/section-217-a-2/)
