Arizona strictly regulates chopping down protected cacti like saguaros under the Native Plant Law, treating unauthorized removal—even from private yards—as a felony with fines up to $1,500 or prison time based on plant value. Rhode Island imposes no such state-level felony for cacti in yards, as they lack native protections akin to Arizona’s desert species.
Rhode Island Yard Rules
Rhode Island property owners can generally remove plants from their own land without felony risk, governed by local zoning and nuisance ordinances rather than specific cactus laws. Common yard vegetation falls under municipal codes for tree removal permits in urban areas, but non-native or ornamental cacti face no special penalties.
Key Differences
Arizona requires Department of Agriculture permits and tags for protected species, even on private property.
Rhode Island focuses on broader environmental regs like wetlands or historic trees, allowing backyard cactus trimming absent local bans.
Check town ordinances for any landscaping restrictions before acting.
SOURCES
[1](https://northamericancommunityhub.com/its-illegal-to-cut-cactuses-in-arizona/)
[2](https://jovant.com/blogs/state-local-regulation/arizonacactusfines-protectdesertplantswithapolesaw)
[3](https://www.reddit.com/r/arizona/comments/icuwks/in_arizona_its_illegal_to_cut_down_a_saguaro/)
[4](https://www.lawinfo.com/resources/criminal-defense/arizona/)
[5](https://www.islands.com/1932365/weird-state-arizona-law-illegal-touch-cactus/)
