Rock Identifier
Petrified wood (possible) (Silicified wood; fossilized tree tissue, commonly replaced by microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂)) — fossil
fossil

Petrified wood (possible)

Silicified wood; fossilized tree tissue, commonly replaced by microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Tan, cream, and pale gray, with a rough, weathered surface and possible preserved wood grain. If silicified, hardness is about 7 Mohs and luster ranges from dull to waxy; the image alone does not confirm mineral replacement or wood structure.

Identified More fossil →
Explore Petrified wood (possible) in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App StoreGoogle Play

Physical properties

Tan, cream, and pale gray, with a rough, weathered surface and possible preserved wood grain. If silicified, hardness is about 7 Mohs and luster ranges from dull to waxy; the image alone does not confirm mineral replacement or wood structure.

Formation & geological history

Forms when buried wood is gradually mineralized, often by silica-rich groundwater. Fossilization can occur across many geological periods; the specimen’s age and origin cannot be determined from the photo.

Uses & applications

Collected as a fossil or display piece; polished silicified wood is also used for ornaments and lapidary work.

Geological facts

Petrified wood preserves the shape and sometimes cellular structure of ancient trees, while the original organic material is largely replaced by minerals.

Field identification & locations

The long, log-like shape suggests petrified wood, but visible growth rings or grain and a hard, stone-like texture would help verify it. Common deposits occur in the western United States and other regions worldwide.

More like this

Other fossil specimens

Probable fossil-bearing rock or mineral concretion (Unidentified carbonate-rich concretion with a possible fossil inclusion) — fossil

Probable fossil-bearing rock or mineral concretion

Unidentified carbonate-rich concretion with a possible fossil inclusion

fossil
Likely fossil oyster shell (Fossilized bivalve shell; exact species cannot be identified from the image) — fossil

Likely fossil oyster shell

Fossilized bivalve shell; exact species cannot be identified from the image

fossil
Crinoid Stem Fossil in Matrix (Phylum Echinodermata, Class Crinoidea) — fossil

Crinoid Stem Fossil in Matrix

Phylum Echinodermata, Class Crinoidea

fossil
Fossiliferous limestone (likely a crinoidal or shell-fragment limestone) (Bioclastic limestone, composed chiefly of calcite (CaCO₃)) — sedimentary

Fossiliferous limestone (likely a crinoidal or shell-fragment limestone)

Bioclastic limestone, composed chiefly of calcite (CaCO₃)

sedimentary
Fossil oyster shell (Oyster (family Ostreidae); shell composed chiefly of calcite (CaCO₃)) — fossil

Fossil oyster shell

Oyster (family Ostreidae); shell composed chiefly of calcite (CaCO₃)

fossil
Weathered fossil bone fragment (identification uncertain) (Fossilized bone; exact taxon and mineral composition cannot be determined from the image) — fossil

Weathered fossil bone fragment (identification uncertain)

Fossilized bone; exact taxon and mineral composition cannot be determined from the image

fossil