See Purple Paint in the Woods in Maine? You Need to Leave Right Away

Have you ever been walking through the Maine woods and seen a purple mark on some trees? You may have wondered what it all means.

A purple stripe definitely stands out in a forest, and for good reason.

It's not an inviting mark of color but rather one that tells you to stay away.

What Does Purple on a Tree in Maine Mean?

That purple stripe appearing on trees, posts, or stones is a warning to people that you are on property that is "Access by Permission Only."

It's a simple mark to tell you that unless you have gotten permission from the landowner to be on the property, you are trespassing.

I can only assume that the purple mark is a lot easier to maintain and can't be torn down like a sign.

But not everyone knows what the purple mark means, so the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife has all the info you need to be sure you are enjoying the woods without unknowingly trespassing on private property.

That purple line needs to be at least 8 inches long, and the bottom of the line should be about 3 to 5 inches from the base of the tree, according to the wildlife department.

How Many Trees Are There in Maine?

Maine has almost 18 million acres of woods that cover 89 percent of the state's land area. That's the highest percentage of forest cover of any state in the U.S. That's a lot of trees!

Even though 89 percent of Maine is covered in wooded areas, every single acre of it is owned by someone. The good news is that many of those landowners open up their lands to the public for all sorts of recreational uses like walking, hiking, and riding ATVs and snowmobiles.

But just remember, if you go talking a walk in the woods on a nice day, make sure to watch out for any purple marks on the trees.

Have fun out there, but be safe!