Chopping down a protected cactus like a saguaro is indeed a felony in Arizona under the Native Plant Protection Act (A.R.S. § 3-932), with penalties escalating based on the plant’s appraised value—up to Class 4 felony status for high-value specimens, potentially carrying years in prison.
Arizona Specifics
Even on private property, owners must obtain a permit and tag from the Arizona Department of Agriculture before removal; violations treat saguaros as state-protected heritage plants due to their slow growth (150+ years lifespan).
Fines start at misdemeanors under $500 but hit felonies above that threshold, with cases leading to jail time for intentional destruction.
New York Contrast
New York’s yards face no such blanket prohibition on cacti, as they aren’t native or protected statewide—focus instead falls on local zoning, nuisance laws, or invasive species rules if applicable.
Property owners can generally remove non-native plants like cactuses without felony risk, though HOAs or municipal codes might require permits for tree/shrub removal over certain sizes.
Disputes would hinge on neighbor impacts or environmental regs, not plant-specific felonies.
SOURCES
[1](https://northamericancommunityhub.com/its-illegal-to-cut-cactuses-in-arizona/)
[2](https://www.reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/9ykjs5/til_cutting_down_a_cactus_in_arizona_has_a/)
[3](https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-02-26/border-wall-saguaro-cactus)
[4](https://www.lawinfo.com/resources/criminal-defense/arizona/)
[5](https://www.allenlawaz.com/blog/five-things-you-didnt-know-were-crimes-in-arizona)
