No, chopping down a cactus is not a felony in your South Carolina yard. Unlike Arizona, where native saguaro cacti receive special protection under state law making unauthorized removal or destruction a felony, South Carolina has no comparable statewide statute for cacti on private property.​
Arizona Context
Arizona Revised Statutes § 3-901 et seq. classify saguaros and certain other native cacti as protected plants; permits are required for removal, transport, or sale, with felony penalties for violations involving saguaros over certain sizes. This stems from their cultural, ecological, and economic value in the desert ecosystem.​
South Carolina Rules
South Carolina regulates plants primarily through DNR managed lands prohibitions against damaging vegetation without permits, but private yards fall under local zoning or nuisance ordinances, not felony cactus laws. No state code singles out cacti; removal from your own property is generally legal if not a protected species like endangered natives (rare in SC).​
Yard Considerations
Check local ordinances for tree/plant removal permits if the cactus exceeds height limits or affects neighbors; HOA rules may apply. Federal quarantines exist for South American cactus moth hosts like Opuntia, restricting interstate movement but not private yard cutting. Consult your county zoning office for specifics.​
