No, chopping down a cactus is not a crime in Minnesota akin to Arizona’s felony protections. Minnesota protects its rare native ball cactus (Coryphantha vivipara) under endangered species laws, but common or non-native cacti in yards face no such restrictions. This stems from conservation efforts, not blanket property bans.
Protected Species Rules
Ball cactus, Minnesota’s rarest native plant found only in a small west-central area, requires DNR permits for any taking, damage, or translocation on public or private land per Minn. Stat. § 84.0895. Recent 2021-2024 projects moved populations from threatened quarry sites to protected refuges like Big Stone NWR. Violations risk fines or misdemeanor charges for endangered plants.
Yard Cacti Implications
Non-native or ornamental cacti (e.g., prickly pear cultivars) on private property aren’t protected; removal is legal as standard landscaping absent local ordinances. No state “weird law” elevates backyard cactus chopping to jail time—unlike Arizona’s saguaro felonies from prior context. HOAs or municipal codes might regulate over plant height or nuisance.​
Practical Guidance
Verify if your cactus is native/rare via DNR’s Rare Species Guide before removal. For protected ones, seek permits; otherwise, proceed freely but document boundaries to avoid neighbor disputes.​
