Wisconsin Residents Have No Excuse To Not Avoid Red Or Purple Paint In The Woods

If you enjoy those chilly hikes, or are looking for some great new spots to snowmobile this year, stay clear form Red and Purple Paint marks on trees or signs. Both colors have been used from time to time. Though it is not a law, it has still been used for years.

An easy thing to remember is that paints mean basically the same thing, but purple is much more popular and means only one thing while that red paint can mean a few other things.

As of 2024, the Purple Paint Law is not in effect in Wisconsin.

Some landowners may still use purple paint to mark their property lines or for other reasons. At this time 18 states do use the purple paint law. Some are very close to Wisconsin. Both Iowa and Illinois follow this law. So keep an eye out if you travel there.

The Purple Paint Law gives landowners the option of marking trees or posts to prevent trespassing. One of the biggest benefits of the purple paint being used for no trespassing is that, unlike signs that can be removed or destroyed, the purple paint is pretty permanent.

The Red Paint Rule In Wisconsin

gardeningknowhow.com claims that one of the uses for this color is to signify the tree is on land that belongs to the U.S. Forest Service. Other Sources go on to say it can mark any property line,

If its a line of red painted trees is a property line. Different Timber companys/land owners use different colors to mark their property lines.

While red paint can also mark a tree "not to cut down" while work is being done in an area... so as long as you're not walking through a construction zone in the woods, odds are seeing markings for a property line.

At this point it's best to just avoid colorful trees in the woods.