Purple paint on boundary line trees or fence posts means NO TRESPASSING, just as a green light means go and a red light means stop. But how can the purple paint law possibly save money for a woodland owner?
Just think. In the past, if woodland owners wanted to post their land against trespass, they would almost always nail a sign to a tree.
I have seen black walnut, white oak and red oak veneer logs ruined by such a practice. Think of the hundreds, if not thousands of butt logs, the most valuable log in a tree, that were affected!
In the mid-1990s, the Missouri State Legislature passed the Purple Paint Law, probably never realizing they were going to save millions of future butt logs. The law reads as follows: "The owner or lessee of any real property may post the property by placing identifying purple paint marks on trees or posts around the area to be posted. Each paint mark shall be a vertical line of at least eight inches in length and the bottom of the mark shall be no less than three feet nor more than five feet high. Such paint marks shall be placed no more than 100 feet apart and shall be readily visible to any person approaching the property. Property so posted is to be considered posted for all purposes, and any unauthorized entry upon the property is trespass in the first degree, and a class B misdemeanor".
Another important advantage of purple paint over posted signs is that it cannot be torn down. Also, as fast-growing trees pull the nails through the sign in 2 or 3 years, it loses hold and falls, requiring replacement. And, hunters won't be as tempted to shoot purple paint as they are to shoot signs.
To make the purple paint last longer, before painting a tree, scrape off the loose bark with a draw knife, taking care not to wound the tree. This process will at least double, if not triple the life of the paint mark, anywhere from 4 to 8 years! Smooth-barked trees, such as hickory are perfect to paint.
If you must put up a sign, be sure to nail it to a small, low-value tree of firewood quality. If you aren't sure which trees are low- value, be sure to contact your local consulting forester to assist you! Mistakes can be costly! Any butt log that is saved can mean financial benefit for landowners, loggers and foresters!