Hoa Rules For Plants In Pima
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Ray O'Neil, chief ranger at Saguaro National Park, told Fox News that "it's illegal in Arizona to dig up cactus anywhere unless you have a permit." Cutting down a cactus, like Arizona's iconic saguaro, is a crime punishable with up to 25 years in prison and a hefty fine.
Removing Saguaro Cactus in Arizona Although landowners, including residents and businesses, have the right to remove or destroy any native plants on their property, including protected species like the saguaro cactus, must first notify the Arizona Department of Agriculture and obtain a special permit.
The reason this law stands is because the saguaro cactus, prevalent in Arizona, takes an incredibly long time to grow. These plants have a lifespan that is estimated to be from 150 years to 200 years if they aren't cut down and if they have the right conditions.
Again, cactus skeletons (or any dead plant or plant parts) are not protected under the Arizona native plant law. However, we encourage that at least verbal permission be obtained from the landowner before entering private property.
The Arizona native plant law was enacted to protect rare plant species and to protect some species from being over harvested. There are four Protected Native Plant Categories: 1. Highly Safeguarded – This group of plants is threatened for survival or are in danger of extinction.
While land owners do have the right to remove native plants on their land, there is a process that must be followed. Protected species notification must be given to the Arizona Department of Agriculture and a permit must be issued prior to removal.
The Laws and Regulations Understanding Arizona Legislation It's illegal to cut down, damage, or move a Saguaro Cactus without a permit. The Arizona Native Plant Law governs this protection, emphasizing that these plants should not be harvested or harmed in their natural habitat.
A person may move a saguaro cactus without obtaining a permit, tag and seal only if the person maintains documentation of a previous legal movement or if the department has record of a previous legal movement of the cactus by the person.
Protection includes not only the plants themselves, but their plant parts such as fruits, seeds and cuttings. A few examples of species in this category are saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea), Arizona willow (Salix arizonica), and some agave and cacti (Agavaceae and Cactaceae families).
