What to Do if You See Purple Paint on a Tree in Michigan

There’s no reason to panic, but you should be aware of what it means when you see purple paint on a tree anywhere in Michigan. You should definitely know what to do if you run into a situation like this.

In most cases, you know when you're on private property, as there are signs that clearly state 'Keep Out,' 'Private Property,' or 'No Trespassing.' However, there are scenarios when the signs are worn out, tattered, and unreadable. That's when you start to question whether or not you're actually trespassing, and noticing something like purple paint might give you the answer.

What’s the Deal with Purple Paint on Trees in Michigan?

In Michigan, purple paint on a tree has no legal meaning. Some other states use the purple paint law to mark private property and signal 'No Trespassing,' but Michigan isn’t one of them. However, if you see purple paint on a tree in Michigan, it’s a good idea to leave—it likely means someone is trying to tell you you’re not welcome.

According to Outdoor News, Michigan lawmakers are thinking about letting purple paint be used to mark private property for no trespassing, though the Department of Natural Resources hasn’t been a fan of the idea in the past.

Earlier this year, Democratic Rep. Julie Rogers from Kalamazoo and Republican Rep. Greg Markkanen from Hancock teamed up to introduce House bills 5561 and 5562, which would allow landowners to use purple paint on trees or posts to mark off their land.

Even without an official purple paint law, many people generally accept that it means 'No Trespassing.'

22 states have the purple paint law. As of now, the states with this law include Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.