It is unlawful to levy upon and sell under any execution or decree any improvement, or right of preemption upon the public lands within this state, any law, usage, or custom, to the contrary notwithstanding. However, no other improvement on the public lands, as provided for above, shall be so exempt, except those on which the defendant may reside or cultivate at the time of issuing the execution.
Ark. Code § 16-66-206