Exploring the state’s rugged terrain offers a unique opportunity to discover petrified wood, a fossilized treasure from ancient forests. With the right tips, you’ll be ready to embark on your own adventure and uncover these fascinating remnants of prehistoric life.

Knowing where to look and what to expect will increase your chances of spotting these remarkable pieces scattered across this great state’s terrain!

Petrified wood you can find in the US

In the United States, several types of petrified wood can be found, each with unique characteristics based on the original tree species and the minerals involved in the fossilization process. Here are some of the types you’ll be able to find.

Araucarioxylon

Found in the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona, this is one of the most famous types of petrified wood. It comes from an extinct species of conifer. As Arizona’s state fossil, Araucarioxylon holds a special place in the state’s natural history.

These trees once formed vast forests during the Late Triassic period, about 225 million years ago. The vibrant colors in this petrified wood come from minerals that replaced the original tree material over time.

Metasequoia

Often referred to as dawn redwood, this type of petrified wood can be found in various parts of the U.S., including the Pacific Northwest. Metasequoia was once thought to be extinct until living trees were later discovered in China.

Furthermore, its fine grain and reddish-brown color are characteristic features.

Palmoxylon

This petrified wood originates from palm trees and is often found in the Gulf Coast states like Texas and Louisiana. Recognized as the state stone of Texas, Palmoxylon is abundant and holds cultural significance.

The wood’s unique speckled or dotted pattern comes from the vascular bundles of the original palm tree. These fossils date back to the Cretaceous period, when the area was tropical and teeming with life.

Taxodium

Also known as bald cypress, this petrified wood can be found in the southeastern U.S., particularly in areas that were once swampy. Taxodium wood is often found in places that were ancient swamps, where these trees thrived millions of years ago.

The wood is durable and shows intricate grain patterns, with growth rings and knotholes that tell the story of its long history. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the wet environments that once dominated the Southeast.

Sequoioxylon

Petrified wood from ancient sequoia trees, found in places like California, where sequoia forests once thrived. These trees are the ancestors of the giant sequoias that still stand in California today.

The petrified wood is notable for its large, straight grain and reddish color, reflecting the immense size and age of the original trees.

Ginkgoxylon

Petrified wood from ancient ginkgo trees, which can sometimes be found in states like Oregon and Washington. Ginkgo is one of the oldest tree species on Earth, with fossils dating back over 200 million years.

Ginkgo petrified wood often has a light color and may show patterns similar to the fan-shaped leaves of the living ginkgo.

Dicotyledonous Wood

Found across various states, this type of petrified wood comes from broadleaf trees, making it more common and varied in appearance. You can spot dicotyledonous wood by the distinct vessels and growth rings that indicate seasonal changes.

This type of petrified wood is often found in regions that were once temperate forests, offering clues about the diverse plant life that existed millions of years ago.

Piceoxylon

Petrified wood from ancient spruce trees, commonly found in areas like Wyoming and Montana, where coniferous forests once thrived. Piceoxylon is known for its straight grain and pale color, often showing growth rings that tell the tree’s life story.

These trees were part of the ancient boreal forests that covered large parts of North America during cooler periods.

A Quick Request About Collecting

What Rough Petrified Wood Looks Like

Most of the photos you find of petrified wood are pieces that have been cut and polished. That is certainly useful but isn’t super helpful once you are out in the field. This is what you should look out for once you start hunting:

Exteriors like this

Every type of petrified wood has a different exterior and pattern but this is a good starting point on what to look for.

Texture and grain patterns

One of the most distinctive features to look for is the texture and grain patterns. Petrified wood often retains the original structure of the tree, including the grain, knots, and even growth rings. These patterns can appear similar to modern wood but are typically more rigid and fossilized.

Examine the surface for any linear patterns or striations that indicate the original wood grain. The texture may feel smoother or more polished in certain areas where mineralization has created a glassy effect.

Coloration and mineralization

The color of petrified wood can vary significantly due to the minerals that replaced the organic material during the fossilization process. Common colors include shades of brown, red, yellow, orange, and black.

Some pieces might even exhibit multiple colors in intricate patterns. These colors are often more vivid and diverse than those found in regular rocks. When inspecting potential petrified wood, look for these distinct and varied hues, which can indicate the presence of different minerals such as silica, iron, manganese, and others that contributed to the petrification process.

Bark and exterior features

Another telltale sign of petrified wood is the presence of bark impressions or external textures that resemble tree bark. These features are often well-preserved and can include the rough, fibrous texture of bark, knots, or other surface irregularities typical of natural wood.

The exterior of rough petrified wood may also have a weathered appearance, with cracks and fractures that occurred as the wood fossilized over millions of years. Look closely for these natural wood features, as they can be a strong indicator that you have found a piece of petrified wood.

Weight and density

Petrified wood is typically much heavier and denser than regular wood due to the mineralization process. When rockhounding, pick up the specimen to feel its weight. Even small pieces of petrified wood will feel significantly heavier than an equivalent-sized piece of non-fossilized wood.

This increased density is due to the replacement of organic material with minerals, making petrified wood feel more like a rock than wood. Comparing the weight and density of your find with known samples of petrified wood can help confirm its authenticity.

General Areas To Try First

Before we get into the specific places you should be looking we wanted to give you some more general advice. Once you get to your hunting area you should head straight for these areas if you want to have the best results:

Lakeshores

Lakeshores are like natural garbage cans because all things wash up and get left there over time. That includes wood that has turned to stone. As the water rises and falls, it carries sediment and rocks. It also takes the fossilized remains of trees from long ago.

Most lakeshores have a variety of rocks and minerals, which makes them an excellent place for petrified wood to grow and thrive. You’ll find a nice mix of sedimentary and volcanic rocks, the best sites for preserving wood fossils.

Roadcuts

When building roads, parts of the ground are often cut away to make a smooth path. The magic happens when the road cuts through layers of rock and soil. Petrified wood is often buried deep underground, and roadcuts let us see these underground wonders.

As workers blast through the rock layers, they accidentally find petrified wood that has been there for hundreds of years. Petrified wood is easy for collectors to spot because the exposed rock layers of roadcuts make it easy to see its unique patterns and colors.

Streams and creeks

Streams and creeks can move loose sediment away, which can reveal old wood that has turned to stone. As the water moves around, it exposes small pieces or even more significant amounts of petrified wood that have settled on the streambed.

Streams and creeks are more accessible for collectors because they are not as big. You can easily walk along their banks, jump from rock to rock, and look for petrified wood at the water’s edge.

River beds

Riverbeds are excellent for finding petrified wood due to their unique geological and environmental conditions. Rapid burial by sediments like sand, silt, and mud protects fallen trees from decay, initiating the fossilization process.

Mineral-rich waters flowing through rivers facilitate the replacement of organic material with minerals such as silica, turning wood into stone. Over time, erosion exposes these buried treasures, making them accessible for discovery.

This dynamic environment, with constant sediment deposition and mineral infiltration, creates ideal conditions for the formation and eventual exposure of petrified wood.

The tools every petrified wood hunter will need

When you're out looking for petrified wood having the right tools for the job is really going to make or break your success. You don't need a lot for most trips but there are a handful that are critical and will make your life a lot easier.

We get asked a lot about the equipment we use. Over the years we've found a handful of tools that we recommend to both new and experienced petrified wood hunters which we outline in great detail in our complete rockhounding tools and kit guide. These are quality options that also happen to be relatively inexpensive.

Below are the basic tools that make your life so much easier and save you a ton of time. Check out the full guide to see everything we recommend bringing. One quick note, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases but we try very hard to only recommend gear we would use ourselves and often recommend brands you can't find on Amazon.

At a minimum you should have:

1 - Sturdy rock hammer: The Estwing Rock Pick is our standard

2 - Rugged chisels: Try Kendo' 3-piece Chisel Set

3 - Compact shovel: The Koleiya 28-inch shovel works well

4 - Rock screen pan: The Wazakura Soil Sieve Set fits the bill

5 - Eye protection: DeWalt Safety Glasses are cheap and comfortable

6 - Head protection: Malta's Safety Helmet has been our go-to

7 - Jewelers lens with at least 20x magnification: Jarlink's Jewelers Loop is perfect

The petrified wood-finding books that we use most

There are also a few books that have been extremely helpful in the search for gems. These books have great recommendations and tips:

National Audubon Society Field Guide to Rocks and Minerals: North America 

Southwest Treasure Hunter's Gem & Mineral Guide 

Earth Treasures: The Southwestern Quadrant 

We provide links to find these tools on Amazon but some can also be found at your local hardware stores. For more recommendations check out the link to our full tool guide above.

The Best Places To Find Petrified Wood In Kentucky

Kentucky is endowed with many great rockhounding spots, but not all of them contain petrified wood. So if you’re in the search for this natural wonder, check out our top recommended sites here:

Rowletts

Rowletts area is an adventurer’s dream, filled with interesting geography, terrain, and geology. Nestled in Hart County, it offers a mix of landscapes that hides beautiful Kentucky petrified woods.

It’s surrounded by a blend of hills and flatlands, with lush forests and open fields that create a picturesque setting. The Green River, which flows nearby, adds to the scenic beauty, carving its way through the landscape.

With this, Rowletts is home to unique rock formations and mineral deposits. Its underlying layers of limestone, sandstone, and shale create a fascinating geological puzzle.

If you’re interested to visit, this place is easily accessible by road. Just remember to respect our environment and adhere to our local collecting guidelines found on the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) website.

Where we found petrified wood in Rowletts

To find petrified wood, you can explore the road cut, banks, and stream gravels of Rowletts.

Ohio River

Ohio River is a major waterway that serves as a natural border between Kentucky and states like Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. It stretches over 600 miles and winds its way through diverse landscapes.

This river flows westward, cutting through the northern part of our state. It joins with several tributaries along its course, creating a complex river system. Its banks are lined with everything from bustling cities to quiet, rural areas.

Geologically, the Ohio River offers a fascinating mix of rock types and formations. Limestone, which has been shaped by millions of years of water flow, is common here and it can contain fossils like petrified wood.

Luckily, this river is easy to reach, thanks to the well-connected roads and highways that run along or near it. Many cities and towns are also nestled along the Ohio River, offering easy access to parks, boat ramps, and viewing spots.

Where we found petrified wood in Ohio River

You can find petrified wood in the area beds and banks of the Ohio River.

Mayfield

Mayfield sits in a region called the Jackson Purchase, and its unique features make it an exciting destination for exploration.

It’s close to the confluence of the Tennessee and Ohio Rivers, and the waterways around the area have shaped the land over time. Mayfield Creek, a smaller waterway, winds its way through the area, adding charm to the landscape.

The terrain here is a mixture of flat plains and gentle hills. The land is fertile, perfect for farming, but also offers great spots for outdoor activities. It stands on layers of sedimentary rocks like limestone and shale.

Thanks to well-maintained roads and highways that connect it to other parts of our state and neighboring states, getting to Mayfield is straightforward. Whether you’re coming by car or public transportation, this town is easily accessible.

Where we found petrified wood in Mayfield

You can collect silicified wood from the area clay pits of Mayfield.

Pryorsburg

Pryorsburg might be small in size but big on natural beauty and geological intrigue. It’s located in the western part of our state and offers an array of landscapes and features that make it an interesting spot to explore.

It lies near the meeting point of several waterways, including the nearby Tennessee River. This close proximity to water influences the area’s climate, wildlife, and even the shape of the land.

Surrounded by mostly gentle terrain, Pryorsburg is situated on top of layers of sedimentary rocks, such as limestone and sandstone. These layers hold petrified wood among other natural treasures.

Fortunately, getting here is practically a breeze. It’s well-connected by roads, making it accessible by car from various directions.

Where we found petrified wood in Pryorsburg

Silicified wood can be found here if you explore north on US-45 in Pryorsburg area.

Graves County

Graves County, situated in the western part of our state, is a treasure trove of natural beauty and geological interest.

It’s marked by its rich farmlands and connection to significant waterways, such as the Tennessee River and the Mississippi River. This combination of fertile soil and access to water creates a diverse landscape, ranging from agricultural fields to wooded areas, all coming together in a picturesque setting.

Graves County’s topography supports diverse wildlife, and bird watchers or nature enthusiasts can enjoy a rich variety of flora and fauna here. Rockhounds are also in for a treat here as it’s built on layers of sedimentary rocks like limestone, sandstone, and shale.

Another great thing about this county is that there are well-maintained roads and highways that connect it to neighboring cities and counties.

Where we found petrified wood in the Graves County

You can find petrified wood all over Graves County, particularly in the area gravel and clay pits of Farmington, Hickory, Sedalia, and Viola.

Other Great Places To Find Kentucky Petrified Wood

If you’re looking for other options, here are a few other great sites where you can find petrified wood in Kentucky:

Common Questions About Finding Petrified Wood In Kentucky

In this section, we’ll answer some of the most common questions when it comes to finding Kentucky petrified wood:

How old is Petrified Wood in Kentucky

Petrified wood found in Kentucky often dates back hundreds of millions of years. Many pieces here are from the Carboniferous Period, a time that spans from about 359 to 299 million years ago.

During this era, our state was covered in vast swamps and dense forests, providing the perfect conditions for petrification. Exploring these ancient treasures offers a hands-on connection to a time when our landscape was home to a thriving, prehistoric ecosystem.

Can you find Petrified Palm Wood in Kentucky?

Finding petrified palm wood here is highly unlikely since our geological history and climate during the periods when petrification typically occurred don’t support the presence of palm trees.

Most of the petrified wood here comes from trees that thrived in the ancient forests and swamps of the Carboniferous Period, such as ferns and conifers. Palms typically grow in tropical and subtropical climates.

The Best Places To Buy Petrified Wood In Kentucky

If you’re lacking time or do not have ample resources to go on a full-blown exploration for petrified wood in its natural environment, your next best option is to go to our local shops here.

Below are some of the best ones you can visit:

• Big Mike’s Rock Shop – 566 Old Mammoth Cave Rd, Cave City, KY 42127
• GOLDHEART: Stones And Such – 980 Barret Ave, Louisville, KY 40204
• Little Big Gem Mine & Rock Shop – 1000 KY-524, La Grange, KY 40031
• Louisville Rock Shop – 107 S Bayly Ave, Louisville, KY 40206
• The Kentucky Crystal Garden – 2175 Christian Rd #135b, Lexington, KY 40509