Petrified Wood | What Do You Really Know About It?

As far as rocks go the process in which petrified wood is formed is pretty simple to explain but where things get difficult is in the identification of this rock. I have seen lots people misidentifying rocks as petrified wood. So in today's video let's explore this topic some.
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[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Did you enjoy this video and find it to be informative? You can help ensure that more videos just like this get made by supporting the project on Patreon. www.patreon.com/currentlyrockhounding

[@gem6240]

I don’t care about opinions or to be told I’m wrong about something. It infuriates me. Nit pickers are the worst! Teach me how I’m wrong! Now if you do it in a way that someone can learn something that’s different. I’ve never heard you belittle or talk down to anyone. I like how you give information freely and to be as accurate as you can. Thanks

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I just want people to enjoy rocks, minerals, and geology. I think its fun and learning about it can give you a different perspective on your natural environment. It's added a lot to my life and I think it can do the same for other people as well.

[@amywelsh8225]

I second that sentiment. I appreciate that you provide knowledge and info while acknowledging how people could get confused. Thank you for sharing and explaining so much help information.

[@tomahawkmissile241]

looks like a giant squriel on the top left

[@brandondixon4023]

@@CurrentlyRockhounding I have a really large piece of what I believe is petrified wood. Has tree rings that is very visible and really looks like a section of wood. Is there a way I can send you a video or a couple pictures and see if you can identify it for me? I appreciate your time. Thanks

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

@@brandondixon4023If you have any really nice, well lit, clear photos of it, you can send me a few at [e-mail]

[@barbaraw9155]

Two years later I see your video of petrified wood. This helps me really understand the concept of time for wood to become petrified. I have at least a dozen rocks set aside because I couldn’t figure out if it was petrified wood or not. Now I know it’s not, I thank you so much for explaining things to us instead of talking down to us and our knowledge of things. Love your podcasts too!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm glad you liked this video and the podcast as well.

[@MICHIGANROCKBOX]

Another thing to consider when looking at them is that they are all different species of trees which had different hardness and cellular structures

[@toweringhorse2054]

I used it for my aquarium. I love the look of it and how ancient it really is.

[@dave8540]

That made my understanding of petwood so much clearer , thanks mate , I love the way you explain things to people.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm happy you enjoyed it.

[@jamespiel946]

Informative. I can see why some people can misidentify some rocks as pet wood. Thanks for trying to educate us.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm glad you liked it, it can be confusing when starting out.

[@signecadwallader2158]

Thank you! I never dreamed there was so much variation in petrified wood!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm glad you liked it!

[@NWRockExplorer]

Well AActuallly!!! haha great video, people in our local groups always mistake the metamorphic rocks for pet wood. When you first start out it can be quite confusing but once you find a piece and understand how it's formed it gets a lot more easy to identify.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Agreed, sometimes when things are river tumbled it can also make it hard to identify.

[@sfbfriend]

Very informative, thank you. I did pick the correct "Not Petrified" but found myself questioning myself! You were trying to trick us and that usually makes me question myself. Fun little adventure.

[@darlenepringle536]

I enjoy these explained videos i love the learning as much as the sparkles lol hopefully you'll do more again in The future ..also jist wanted to take a second to say thank you for sharing this passion through your mind and eyes .

[@Bizarius1]

@ 6:01 There's a side view of a crow flying, and above the crow there's a hawk swooping down from above. Name this piece death from above.

[@aprils5881]

Thanks! I'm doing a sort of refresher/crash course in petrified wood, fossils and a couple other goodies, in preparation for a little presentation (with visual aids from my collection) I'm giving to my son's first grade class. As they've been learning about geology, layers of the earth, volcanoes etc from their awesome teacher.... I suggested letting her use some pieces for visual aids, but she ended up asking if I'd want to come give a little presentation. Me: sure that'd be fun! (Then the panic sets in..gigglesnort) Admittedly, I'm struggling with a bit of imposter syndrome.. so it helps calm my nerves and encourage my confidence to keep researching, learning new information and just confirming what I already knew. Thanks, for sharing so much beauty and information!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Oh that sounds fun actually to put on a small presentation like that for the class. Let me know how it goes.

[@tammy-lynnstewart5677]

Awesome presentation. Your vid made it much easier for me to understand how petrified wood is created. I also guessed the right rocks that were not petrified wood. I am very much a novice when it comes to rocks. Thank you for sharing.

[@rachaelb9164]

I have difficulty differentiating petrified wood branches from limb casts.

[@h2tumbledrough259]

Another good one 👍 Thank you for the variety of samples!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm glad you liked it.

[@jackihammersmith8331]

I guessed all four right! I'm proud of myself, keep doing videos like this testing skills it was fun and educational. Great video

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm glad you liked it.

[@kelcritcarroll]

I did too! Im surprised I did and it was more luck than anything for me….no knowledge involved!lol….i do,believe I may have a piece of petrified wood though!😁

[@chrisryan8458]

I did pick those 4 from process of elimination thru ur explanation of all the other rocks.

[@OneRockAtATime]

Such a good topic and great explanation as always!👍

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Thank you!

[@corrinaguajardo7239]

I really appreciate your informative videos you've taught me a lot and yes I picked all four non petrified wood pieces I was very proud of myself

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Thank you! I'm happy you like the content here.

[@joshpearson1656]

Lol well I got 3 out of 4 correct. Petrified wood has always been my favorite. So many shapes, size and color. Great video as usual. Always enjoy your perspective on rockhounding

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

It's fun material to have and it can trick the eye. 3 out 4 is really good.

[@RockhoundTreasurehunt]

Great topic to go over. Looking forward to a more in depth discussion on the topic. Im interested in hearing about what minerals cause what particular colors, Crystalization and not just opalized but how the opal gets its color. Good job!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

That is a great topic to cover in fact! I just added it to my list of videos to make. Thank you for the idea.

[@NPRocks]

Thank you for your informative lessons. They make my day!

[@jeannettemorrone5189]

3 out of 4! This was great!

[@TheRogueRockhound]

Yeah, I picked the correct 4! Have you seen petrified Ginko tree?

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I have!

[@waveman0]

me too, petrified wood is my favourite rock, my collection mostly consists of Chinchilla samples (a small town here in Australia renowned for its petrified wood deposits) I have one 6.1kg one that is opalized that is spectacular. I would love to get a sample of peanut petrified wood.

[@judieahmed98]

I’m just learning and I love your videos

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Thank you! I try to put together helpful content.

[@bobbimorris1819]

Very informative video. I have a few rocks that I thought were petrified wood and now I know there’re not. But they still look interesting of course.Thanks!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Most rocks are interesting if you know the story behind them.

[@darrinwilliams5715]

Good video, and good explanations of characteristics to look for to help identify these different pet. Wood specimens.😎

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Thank you.

[@leetravathan]

This was VERY helpful. Thanks!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm glad you liked it.

[@patriciamckean4186]

I've picked up what I thought was petrified wood, upon testing hardness figured out it wasn't. 🙃 love learning

[@bobsagate8614]

Love your videos dude! Also I am obsessed with the saddle mountain area. Closer to vantage there is opalized wood that is distinctly different than the agatized stuff found farther east towards saddle mountain. Also if you can find a legal place to collect in the washes along the bottom of the big cliff near beverly dunes you will find agates alongside agatized wood. That area has become my favorite and would love to organize a small meet up to explore if you are available sometime. Thanks for making the videos dude!!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Thank you. I'm posting a video about Saddle Mt. later this week. Drop me an email. I'm always down to go hunting with others if we can make it work.

[@rebeccatelgenhoff3540]

You are the Engineer of the Rockhounding!😀 a I like your explanation of how you identify the different rocks and hardness scales and the geology of the rocks talk about. It might be boring for some but I find it very interesting.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Thank you, I like to think that I keep it light and easy to grasp.

[@DanFarrar]

Useful for sure. I did manage to pick the four before you revealed them. Very enjoyable thanks!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

You sir have a good eye!

[@DanFarrar]

@@CurrentlyRockhounding not really lol. I just see lots of sedimentary rock on a regular basis so I know those. Do any other organic materials petrify?

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

@@DanFarrar They do! Things like bones, and leafs have mineral replacement.

[@judieahmed98]

Thank you for educating me.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@dennisevelyndaniels4862]

Enjoy your videos! This was really good and I love your take on not nitpicking. I love to pick up rocks and tumble them and I also have a High Tech slant lap. I find the occasional petrified wood here which is nice. I also find an occasional agate. I haven’t done too much rock hounding but I like to bring stones home from wherever I travel.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I just don't see the point in trying to nitpick, I don't think that's a good way to teach people things.

[@jackjohnson2651]

Thank you

[@davidariamirroarkyoung]

I love you saying that they could kick rocks. I admit I am very obsessed with my two favorite gems iolite and sunstone. In 1991 in India they found deposits of intergrown iolite with sunstone and they call it sunstoneiolite. The problem is when iolite has a lot of inclusions of copper or hematite they will describe it as a sunstone effect iolite. The top quality of actual sunstone effect iolite is cheaper then sunstoneiolite of much lower quality just 5% of actual sunstone in the iolite makes the value quite higher. I understand that the term sunstone iolite was used before 1991 when they were found actually grown together into a single gemstone. I have iolite from before 1991 that is described as a commonly known as sunstone iolite in sub description. My issue is that unscrupulous sellers use the term intentionally or don't know that sunstoneiolite exists and frankly when I started collecting I spent around $50k on rough and gems that were misrepresented. Some were a simple mistake most were intentionally misrepresented. I have found countless fake or intentionally misrepresented gemstones on websites especially eBay. Would you please make a video on purchasing and how to avoid fraud or just unknowledgeable sellers. Since that time I have gone back to college for geology and now I'm getting my graduate of gemology. I'm retired I am doing the metallurgy gemology lapidary arts and making jewelry because I love it. It is the only art form that didn't drive me insane trying to learn. My life partner is a artist and practices in multiple mediums my oldest son is a architect and geologist my youngest is a fashion designer and both son's are also professors at a university nearby. I was told by my doctor to find a hobby to keep strength and freedom of movement in my hands I finally started making jewelry and loved it then I thought why am I purchasing gems instead of cutting them myself and so I started do lapidary studies and loved it. So now me and my life partner retired early before fifty. I get to spend my days working in the workshop while she works on her stuff and our son's are often thier at our sides we setup so it would accommodate all of us and could work in the same space and has been some of the most enjoyable years of our lives even though doing our own things working there music playing we get a lot of time bonding with each other. I'm very blessed and I know this. I will for free evaluate people's jewelry and gems and sadly found countless accounts of people being taken advantage of so anyone who deals with things related to gems or rare stones I beg please make a video explaining how to not get ripped off and know what you are purchasing and if it is a fair value. Sorry for spelling grammar mistakes and rambling I had a stroke it effected my writing amongst other things thank you

[@donbailey1970]

hey man, thanks for the general explanation of petrafried wood....nice collection u got

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Thank you.

[@charlenecastaldo3602]

This video even held the interest of our six year old grandson. Thanks Jared!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Hahaha I'm glad I could keep them occupied for a little bit!

[@raymyers6016]

Thank you! Very informative.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm glad you liked it.

[@kylaabegglen1275]

Great explanation! Thanks Jared!✌🤠

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Thank you!

[@iamcricchi]

I found a massive piece of this 300lbs+. Found it today. That’s how I got here lol.

[@Carolinaishome]

Thanks for this video. Most of mine that I've found in North and South Carolina look like the one you had from Montana, but the colors are more brown and yellowish.

[@dougodette4582]

Very good video brother, thanks for sharing!👍😊⚒

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Thank you!

[@Mz.Stephanie]

The ones you got from saddle mountain I never would have guessed was petrified wood.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

It's really some unique stuff.

[@themicdfiles1865]

I have buckets full of petrified wood. If you ever come to Cody, WY I'd take you out where I go daily, too much rain recently though. You'd need a dirt bike or a 4 wheeler. My 4X4 trucks might get out there, but it would be stressful. There's a ton of fossil material, huge gastroliths, a lot of jasper (Red, Green, and Yellow), chalcedony, quartz, carnelion agates, sodalite, aventurine, sugilite, brecciated jasper, jade, gryphaea, ammonites, belemnites, tons of desert rose, and limestone with plant matter inside sometimes fish. I just got into when I bought a dirt bike a couple years ago. I took a spill and landed in a bed of devil's toenails. Everywhere. I was hooked. I hate these rainy days. I should be out there right now.

[@SpanishGold123]

Love your videos and love how you Imitate people saying, “actually.” Lol.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Ha! :)

[@vivid23d53]

Thanks for this video. pet wood is my favorite. Stay safe

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Glad you liked it.

[@OzoneFineArtVentures]

Nice informative video. Cheers!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Thank you.

[@FieldsOfGold149]

Thank you …. Good channel!👍you rock!

[@rindrr]

I love all of my pieces I’ve collected truly a very awesome type of wood

[@Rockhead75]

More knowledge for me thanks again !!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm glad you liked it.

[@breblizz4321]

Very helpful! I am so proud that I picked 3 out of the 4 that were not the pet wood lol. Literally jumped for joy haha. Thanks for another great video!!!!!!!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm glad you liked it!

[@ibkristykat]

Very awesome! TY for the info!!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Thank you!

[@CarnelianChris]

Thanks for the videos! Keep it up! Hello from Puyallup WA

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Hello back at ya from northeast Washington!

[@mansfieldtime]

I got the rocks right but didn't know about the hardness test.

[@bruceevans3476]

Old Aussie stoner and rock hound ⛏️😊👍👌 I don't have as much petrified wood as I thought.

[@kenndalsales2633]

Great video! Just found something on the beach that looked like a small plank of wood, but felt like a cold smooth stone, and even sparkles a bit in the light. Was wondering if it was pet. Wood, but had never seen examples outside of like a museum or something so I wasn’t sure, but now I’m feeling pretty positive about it after seeing this video!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

That's awesome! If you want you can also email me a photo and perhaps I can help some with giving you an ID on it.

[@jlj209]

I now believe that I have stepped over some specimens of petrified wood while gathering rocks from the American River near my Sacramento home for various craft projects. I may even have some in my backyard now. Indeed intriguing. Subscribed to learn more.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

You very likely could have, I know the American River down there does have petrified wood.

[@jlj209]

@@CurrentlyRockhounding I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for some now. Thanks for the input.

[@KingZealotTactics]

i got 2/4 with my guess, was unsure of the last two. Wow...this helped visually to understand a bit better the differences.

[@GREEKEXPLORERS]

Informative video!!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm glad you liked it.

[@OnTheRiver66]

Great job!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Thank you.

[@claudine1220]

useful tips :) I spotted 2 out of 4, thought that little cow patty shaped one was a knot >< I'm hoping to find some nice chunks to make knobs for my kitchen units, love the idea of pet wood instead of new wood

[@mitchgillilan]

I got all 4 correct! what did I win? Nothing? ok fair enough lol. Great video. being a woodworker and an observant rockhound helps the most. When I look at wood I always look for the medullar rays, the lines going perpendicular to the growth rings, sometimes they are small, and sometimes they are large like in oak or sycamore, but they are almost always apparent in pet wood even if it is agatized. always look at the end grain to find the rays. Im just trying to teach you something because you didnt mention it, and I thought that its worth taking note of. palm wood has no medullar rays, just small tubes, but its easy to identify to be honest.

[@Birdstangg]

Off the bat I could could tell which weren't petrified wood. I've been hunting petrified wood along the Columbia river for years, its very interesting how diverse in appearance they can be.

[@lisae2389]

If you can you should go to the diatomite mine to get some large pieces of pet wood, I have several large pieces from there. I’m not sure if access is still available to the public but can say definitely go on a Sunday when the mine is not in operation.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

You have a good eye for it then but that wasn't always the case everyone needs to start somewhere and even the most experienced rockhound sometimes gets tripped up by things.

[@rosemariepennella6149]

Very interesting!!!

[@kd7ign]

Ty! Are you a geologist by trade? If not you must have rock hounded for lots of years. There’s so much to learn.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

No I'm not a geologist. I do like spending my morning reading on the subject and studying rocks.

[@lazceylight4343]

Hi Great clips thanks! I got a question, I have what looks like metamorphic rock from the river it's water worn but I've notice what looks to be stems in and on the rock, and what mite be flowers with stigma in some. How old do u think if this is what it is? Thanks.

[@lazceylight4343]

I'm in tx anyone to talk about this^

[@themomandthemaverick]

I got three out of four. Rocks 😍

[@randywl8925]

When cutting petrified wood into slabs, is there a generally preferred direction or angle to cut, or do you just make your best guess and run with it?

[@niles.a2917]

Awesome content! Just a thought, but that piece you referenced as opalized and agatized at 5:52 looks a lot like a piranha. It'd be cool to get it shaped and smoothed but at the same time it would hurt to sand that beauty.

[@paigelee6321]

Thank you very interesting,always learning 😊,I picked the right rocks that weren’t pet wood 😊

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm glad you liked it and you have a good eye.

[@yoopermann7942]

i still have hopes of finding pet wood here in the UPPER PENINSULA of MICHIGAN!! great video

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm not that up to date on the geology of the area out there. Are other people finding it?

[@yoopermann7942]

@@CurrentlyRockhounding not that i know of, i was thinking it should be around as this area was totally under water at some point in the past and fallen trees had to have ended up some where, so i keep searching

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Its possible, and you really never know what's out there until you start looking for it.

[@kelleylaughlin392]

There is no petrified wood in Michigan. In the lower peninsula or the eastern half the upper you may find fossils of tree ferns though.

[@yoopermann7942]

@@kelleylaughlin392 yup thats the same answer i get from every one i talk to about this,, i`ll just keep searching,, i found some amazing things so far so ya never know what i just might find

[@RagnarRocks]

Good one man! I find the occasional piece of Pet wood here on the west side that is black (carbon) with some iron with teenie tiny druzy pockets. It's very strange looking stuff.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I haven't heard of much being found out there, does it seem a bit random how your finding it?

[@RagnarRocks]

@@CurrentlyRockhounding I have found it mostly in deep cut creeks in the middle of the forest. Impossible to look for specifically but its out there.

[@lesteralexander789]

Sick video bro I love petrified wood

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Thank you.

[@cindyheimdahl227]

I picked all 4 non Pet Wood! That was interesting! Agates & Pet wood are my favorites. 😁

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

You have a good eye.

[@olmilfishrock]

Awesome video!! I hav several pieces of what I think mite b petrified wood that I found wen I lived in Illinois. I am going to do sum testing of hardness to see what I really have. Thanks !!!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Awesome! Is the area out there known for petrified wood at all.

[@olmilfishrock]

Not really . Lots of fossils and geodes . I even found a few agates . The creek through our farm was all gravel/glacial till . But a mile down the creek it changed to solid sedimentary rocks with geodes . A couple miles away the geodes are filled with crude oil . Nasty and messy to open . A geology professor I had at western Illinois university said it was one of the few places in the world where they are found . I never kept any of them . I did haul 15 5 gallon buckets of assorted rocks wen we-retired and moved to mount Ida Arkansas. So now I dig for crystals. Lol !!

[@jeffarmes8297]

Nice video. That was well worth my time. Thank you. I have some cool limb casts that I found in a coal tailings pile while doing some excavating. One piece has a 1'' core of droozy with the bark very intact which is grey and the the inner layers tan. I guess the hardness of soap stone. I have talked to the rock shop in Kent and the Issaquah Valley Rock Club. Seems like everyone looks at me suspiciously. I was shocked and still am intrigued by this stuff. Maybe its worthless. Some of my pieces definitely will take a polish. So maybe its some petrified wood and some not quite there yet wood even though there is quartz and droozy stuff on the inside. Do you have any ideas?

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm not sure about the rock you're talking about here but I do have an article on my website which could help with the ID process.

[@jeffarmes8297]

@@CurrentlyRockhounding Thank you very much for the reply. I think it is fossilized wood. It may not hit the petrified category yet. Whatever it is, it was wood at one time and now is stone, heavy stone all different colors. My folks introduced me to rock hounding in the Oregon lava fields. Its been decades since I gave it much thought. I enjoy the hobby from a layman's perspective. I always want to learn more. So for me, to get knowledge - its local college, local rock clubs and this channel as methods to gain knowledge. My quest it to find the story behind these pieces of what were once wood. Thank you so much for these videos. Geology and history blow me away!!

[@whatsmolly5741]

Is there a limit to what can be petrified? What about leaves or moss? I keep finding bark/tree grain patterned rocks in my backyard but there's so much of it idk if it's actually petrified wood. Now some of it very much does look like wood with obvious grains but alot of it is either bark or a thicker leaf or a pile of ferns maybe because it's thin slabs often stuck on top of each other a d these thinner slabs are often opalozed.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Those are some big questions that will be hard to answer here. Mineral replacement can happen to many different natural ideas.

[@mctron22rd]

I really like that Cragley looking opalized petrified wood! P.s. I actually guessed correctly! Which ones where the not pet wood! I am actually proud of meself!!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

:)

[@tonywhitaker2202]

The one you picked up from Saddle Mountain has a rabbit head carving and a face carving. I’m sure there are more, but I saw those first. Indians and even people before them would use them for tools, but they also carved their art into them. I have a lot of animals and human faces! I think it’s pretty cool! I’m still learning, and I have a few pieces that I thought were petrified wood. Thanks for the info!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I don't see what you're seeing here.

[@EDLaw-wo5it]

I also picked correct. It was easier than then your out hunting lol. Good presentation Jared. Havavgudun bud.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Yay! You got a good eye!

[@hukeaz]

That’s genius to test for hardness.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I have a number of videos on the subject.

[@dukecitybandit]

He said "Go kick rock's" 🤣🤣🤣

[@angiek1001]

I have a question nobody has been able to answer. I has a very old large oak tree get diseased and a huge limb about 30' up break off and smash fences etc. Upon cutting and removing one of the large pieces that was closer to the trunk, sparks flew and it was perceived there was a metal object. That piece was left behind because it could've go through the chipper, and when i later moved the huge round, what i saw shocked and intrigued me. It wasn't metal the saw contacted, it was what appeared to be rock! I chipoed away at the wood until i removed a very heavy, dense rock like specimen about 2.5' long, and around 5-7" wide, cylindrical shaped, and the surface looked like typical petrified wood. Only the surface glittered with sparkles! Knowing how petrified wood is formed, this specimen has me perplexed. Has anyone heard of this occurring before? And how is this even remotely possible?

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I think the explanation here is that it's not really as you described as you can not have petrification take places in a standing tree.

[@christopherbristow9108]

What's the difference between agatized and opalized wood I have some blue material that I found here on the US and I'm being told by several people they think it's petrified wood it's blue and some what transparent

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

This could be a really complex answer but you should look into what an agate is and what opal is, they are two different things. Lots of different minerals can move during the replacement process.

[@gems2jewels]

Hello CR, I still have trouble IDing petrified wood. I have picked up a lot of not petrified wood, but brought it home just in case. Nowadays I have a far better idea what to look for. I guess the really hard thing to do would be to ID what species of tree it is. Very interesting topic, I love learning about it. And, it's Washington state's state gem. Bravo!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Yeah getting into what tree species you found is quite hard and really not a subject I could personally speak on. I know the visitor center at the Ginkgo Petrified Forest has a display of different species but I think its been closed for over a year now.

[@gems2jewels]

Hello, thanks for the reply. It wasn't until I started watching KZbin channels that I had an idea of what petrified wood looks like. Yours, Marlaina's, and I think Quest for Details, and those Montana rockhounds, MRM, Theo, and KatyDidRocks. I started picking up everything I thought might be pet wood. I posted a few photos on Facebook thinking it was petrified wood and got the reply, "not petrified wood". That is what led me to Saddle mountain and the quest for real absolutely positively petrified wood. One more thing, does Hollywood ranch still allow digging or is closed? Thanks so much.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

@@gems2jewels I think Holleywood Ranch is still open but they ask you to call and check first.

[@dennissorensen167]

I picked 4 of 4! I'm getting better...lol

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Good eye!

[@lisasparkman2924]

I got it too!

[@Parry635]

great video!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Thank you.

[@kobe05_22]

i have a solid black petrified wood is it worth anything?

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Not likely.

[@charleshohn2838]

Geology ROCKS!🤘🏿

[@TRW674]

I’ve read that wood can become petrified in less than 100 years if conditions are right. Is there any way to tell the age of the wood without expensive test?

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Not to my knowledge. There's really no easy way to tell the dates.

[@redstone8714]

How long does it take for wood to petrify?

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

That depends on so many different factors its hard to say exactly.

[@stefanieschmid9760]

Hi CR, I have a piece of petrified wood, in which the core is replaced by very hard and colorful silica, but the bark is quite soft (more like crumbly limestone). It formed in limestone nearby where I live and yes it is definitly petrified wood. As the piece is about 40 cm long, I thought about cutting it in the middle and than cutting one half lengthwise... but I don't know if that's a good idea... my saw runs with a lot of water and I don't want to destroy the bark. I thought about stabalizing the bark with epoxy first, but well then it's more plastic than rock... I'm open to other suggestions. Nice video, always looking forward to new content from your channel. Greetings

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I think cutting it in a slow cutting oil lapidary saw would likely get you the results you want of preserving the outside of it and still getting it cut. I would not cut it on a tilesaw if that's what you have. As far as the epoxy goes I have a very limited knowledge of it so I can't really answer that.

[@stefanieschmid9760]

Well, I don't have a oil saw... and nobody I know has one... My husband and I have used epoxy to stabilize soft wood for woodturning. That works fine and I think with a vacuum chamber that might also work in this case. But: epoxy is still plastic and I don't want that in my rocks if I can avoid it. 🤔 maybe I let the piece in the box until I find a good solution... or until I can afford an oil saw. 🤗

[@mattrichards1492]

So what about carbonized wood? And I feel like I find pieces of jasper-like wood with occasionally as well.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

The subject of carbonized wood is something we have touched on here in a few different videos. Carbonized wood forms when it wood is burning in an oxygen free environment. You can also send me photos of the jasper like rocks that you're find and maybe I can help you with some identification on them.

[@RocksForBrains]

Great explanation! I only find it useful to differentiate between agatized or other terms when it seems someone isn’t quite understanding what the difference is to a non petrified wood agate. Otherwise you’re right, it isn’t important. The chemistry of silicification is fascinating. When you have amorphous silica in volcanic ash and it mixes with water, magic happens! 😜

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I agree and I strive to be as accurate as I can when talking about different rocks and minerals but I also think people get so hung up on the terms and trying to use exact language that it can be counter productive. Off the subject a bit but I know there's some papers out there about lab made petrified wood that can be done in a few days, now that's something I would love to see.

[@RocksForBrains]

@@CurrentlyRockhounding yeeeeaahhhh, that lab made stuff is kinda sketchy. I guess it’s like any other lab made rock like opal but it has been used by people as way to argue that fossils aren’t as old as they are so, cool but not cool too. Lol

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

@@RocksForBrains Well that's a silly argument. I just want to have my own lab and make my own rocks, is that too much to ask for?

[@RocksForBrains]

@@CurrentlyRockhounding haha nope, I want a crystal machine too. 😋

[@user-pl2be8ry8q]

Dude I have a piece that's still wood on the outside but it's heavy and you can hear the rock on the inside

[@sihop9220]

Interesting stuff. As i understand it there are 2 or more processes at work that turn organic material into rock. Theres a fast process where mineral rich water flows over a thing causing it to fossilize rapidly and then theres a much slower process which takes many moons. How can you tell the difference if there is one, and what is the difference between a fossil wood and a petrified wood? Thanx ..

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

The concept of fast petrification isn't real in any way, it's an untested and unproven theory put out on the internet. Fossilized wood and petrified wood are the same thing, just different ways of saying it.

[@sihop9220]

@@CurrentlyRockhounding Can you explain what is going on at Mother Shiptons cave where people seem to have left objects in the falling water that mineralize rapidly ? It seems to be the same process that forms stalactites that turned these objects to stone. This seems to be a faster process than how normal fossils form whats your take? Thanks.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

@@sihop9220 So minerals coating something is not mineral replacement. The inside of a water heater is a great example of minerals coating something, but they do not replace the organic cells when doing this.

[@sihop9220]

@@CurrentlyRockhounding Cheers im now feeling a bit wiser and this explains why most of the objects are soft material like hats and teddy bears. Thanx again ❤

[@sandmaker]

You always educate me. Are harder stones heavier? Thanks again for your video. Be safe and stay healthy 😷⚒ I got lucky, 4 for 4. Woo hoo👍😁

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

They can be. Also the porosity of a rock which is the amount of open space between mineral grains can effect its density. Think of it like a solid block of cheese vs. a block the exact same size but its swiss cheese with all the void in it.

[@sandmaker]

@@CurrentlyRockhounding good example. Thanks

[@AngieDoesStuff]

I think this is a fantastic video! I agree with you about the minutia of classifying wood mineralization. And even though I've been collecting pet wood for my entire life, I still use different words to describe certain properties even if it's not exact because...I don't know. I'm usually so detail-oriented, too. Oh well. But this was a great video and I appreciate it!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm glad you liked it!

[@valoriepickron8683]

I’m newly subscribed to your channel. , I really enjoyed this video and learned a lot . ,, now I will be able to distinguish between petrified wood and rocks . ,,, can you tell me where I’m Louisianais the best place tofind agates? I really appreciate you for researching and sharing the context with us! Your AweSome.,,my each and everyone of you are awesome and powerful in your own kind of ways,,, and you sparkle and shine ;) Shine Brightly too babe ;$ I love you!❤️😘💕

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm glad you liked the video! I have many more just like it as well. I'm sorry but that area of the country isn't really a place I know anything about.

[@valoriepickron8683]

@@CurrentlyRockhounding Thank you anyways… Louisiana is mainly bayous and mosquitoes, not much else where I live.