I just finished up a couple of days devoted to a relocating couple wanting to buy a home here in Tucson. Relocating people ask a lot of questions, naturally, so I spend most of the day answering and explaining various items.
What I wasn’t expecting was the little whoop of delight when they finally asked a question I couldn’t answer. They had finally stumped the Housechick. The question:
If a saguaro cactus is dead or mangled, can I take it down? Do the saguaro protection laws extend to those saguaros that aren’t healthy or have died?
So, my new relocating friends, here is what I found:
Land owners have the right to destroy or remove plants growing on their land, but 20-60 days prior to the destruction of any protectived native plant, land owners are required to notify the department of Agriculture. The Land owner also may sell or give away any plant on the land, but they may not be legally posessed, taken, or transported away from the growing site without a permit from the Arizona department of Agriculture.
On my first reading, I don’t see anything about dead plants yet, but will keep looking.
More Info from the Arizona Department of Agriculture on Native Plants.
March 14th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
“destroy or remove plants growing on their land”
Wonder if one could successfully argue that a dead Saguaro isn’t growing on their land?
Mangled would be a different story. Mangled may be ugly, but it’s still alive…
March 14th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Excellent Blog. I’ve been reading along and just wanted to say hi. I will be reading more of your posts in the future.
- Jason.
March 18th, 2008 at 7:11 am
Who knew and you went above and beyond and got that answer for them and thats what make a realtor stand out from the rest. Thats why so many love the job it’s dealing with people and by the time they move in you probably feel you have a new friend.