No, chopping down a cactus will not land you in jail under New Jersey property laws—this appears to be a mix-up with Arizona’s strict protections for native cacti like the saguaro, where violations can result in felony charges and up to 25 years in prison.
Actual NJ Plant Laws
New Jersey protects endangered and threatened plant species through regulations like N.J.A.C. 7:5C, prohibiting willful damage, destruction, or removal without permits, with civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation. Native cacti such as Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia humifusa) grow in areas like the Pine Barrens or Sandy Hook but are not explicitly listed as endangered, so casual removal on private property typically lacks jail penalties.
Weird NJ Property Laws
New Jersey has quirky rules unrelated to cacti:
- Blairstown requires street trees to avoid blocking light or air.
- Sunday bans exist on house painting, roofing, car sales, and eating pickles in Trenton.
- Protected evergreens like holly or laurel carry fines of $10–$100 for taking without permission.
SOURCES
[1](https://www.lawinfo.com/resources/criminal-defense/arizona/)
[2](https://www.reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/9ykjs5/til_cutting_down_a_cactus_in_arizona_has_a/)
[3](https://wheninyourstate.com/arizona/you-can-go-to-prison-for-25-years-for-cutting-down-a-cactus-in-arizona/)
[4](https://pinelandsalliance.org/new-jersey-endangered-and-threatened-plant-protection-act/)
[5](https://dep.nj.gov/wp-content/uploads/parksandforests/njac7_5c.pdf)
