Vermont lacks specific protections for cacti, which are uncommon in its temperate climate, unlike Arizona where native saguaros are safeguarded under state law as protected plants.​
Vermont Tree Laws
State statutes regulate cutting trees and shrubs mainly in public rights-of-way or as shade trees, requiring permission from tree wardens or municipalities, with fines up to $500 per tree for violations on public land. Private property owners face no such restrictions for non-protected species like cacti, absent local ordinances.​
Arizona Comparison
Arizona classifies damaging saguaro cacti as a felony with penalties up to 25 years for large specimens, due to their cultural and ecological value.[conversation_history] Vermont’s rules target highway-adjacent vegetation or designated shade trees, not desert plants on private yards.​
Local Variations
Municipal codes, like Burlington’s, may require approval for city property vegetation but not personal yards; check town ordinances for any rare plant protections. No felony applies statewide for backyard cacti removal.
SOURCES
[1](https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/fullchapter/19/009)
[2](https://www.vlct.org/resource/tree-law-faqs)
[3](https://vtinstituteforgovt.weebly.com/uploads/4/6/7/4/46746127/vig-lawoftrees-2020.pdf)
[4](https://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/us186858.pdf)
[5](https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/fullchapter/13/077)
