How to identify fossilized wood?

While wood is an organic material, it can also turn into a fossilized form of itself over time and with enough pressure. Fossilized wood can be found beneath the earth’s surface, and this type of wood is called petrified wood. Petrified wood is formed when plant material is buried under sediment and then undergoes mineralization. Silica is a key component in petrified wood, which is what gives it its distinctive look.

How to identify fossilized wood in the ground?

The easiest way to identify fossilized wood is by searching for distinctive burrows. Common digging, probing, and scooping motions can sometimes create the impression of a burrow, but this is usually just an impression left by the root ball of a plant rather than a genuine fossilized burrow. Burrows can also be made of stone or roots — the latter are often mistaken as burrows although they are usually just root wads. If you find fossils in a burrow, use a gentle probe

How to identify fossilized wood in the ground without a rock?

While it may sound strange, fossilized wood can often be found in the ground without a stone covering it. This type of fossilized wood is a result of growing in an oxygen-free environment, which can occur when an area of forest is flooded or covered by lava. Over time, the wood becomes hard as stone and can be unearthed, leaving only the woody material behind. Another example of this is a tree stump left behind when a forest was cleared.

How to identify fossilized wood without a hammer?

If you don’t have a hammer at hand, don’t worry! Fossils are usually easy to identify without a hammer. First, look for an obvious mark or hole. A piece of wood that has an obvious hole or crack in it is more likely to be fossilized and thus more interesting. If the wood has an odd color or an interesting shape, that’s also a good sign.

How to identify fossilized wood without a rock?

Sometimes, wood can fossilize in limestone. This is called “in situ” fossilization, and it happens when the wood is still in its natural environment when the stone was forming. The wood may be partially or fully buried in the stone. It can be difficult to see the wood, especially if it is covered in sediment. There are a number of techniques that can be used to see whether a fossilized piece of wood is inside a stone.