ARIZONA PETRIFIED WOOD FOR SALE

What Gives Arizona Petrified Wood Its Vibrant Coloration?

Often referred to as rainbow wood, much of the petrified wood from Arizona comes in very vibrant red, orange, yellow, and purple hues. The reds, oranges, and yellows are produced by various large particulate forms of iron oxide. The yellow comes from limonite inclusions and the reds/oranges from hematite. Rarer purples and blues are produced by manganese dioxide. This is a secondary material formed when water leaches manganese from igneous rock and redeposits it as a concentration of manganese dioxide.

How Was The Petrified Wood Formed?

What Species Of Wood Are Found In The Arizona Petrified Forest?

Araucarioxylon arizonicum - Over 95% of the fossilized wood found in the Arizona Petrified Forest is from Araucarioxylon arizonicum, a type of conifer that could grow up to 200 feet tall. It is the state fossil of Arizona and is related to the monkey puzzle tree (pehuén) living today. All of the rainbow wood is of this species.

Woodworthia arizonica - The second most common species in the petrified forest. It is characterized by circular small scars on the outer surfaces of the tree rounds. In cross-section view, these scars usually appear as white veins radiating outward from the central core of the tree. They grew to about 100 feet tall.

Schilderia adamanica - One of the rarer woods in the petrified forest. Its classification in relation to other members of the plant kingdom is uncertain. In cross-sectional view, it is recognized by its numerous thin veins radiating outward from the central core. It grew up to about 120 feet tall.

At least nine species of fossil trees from the park have been identified as well as other plants including lycopods, ferns, cycads and ginkgoes. All species are extinct.

Reference: https://www.sierracollege.edu/about-us/beyond-the-classroom/nat-hist-museum/exhibits-in/petrified.php

Does Your Petrified Wood Come From The Petrified Wood National Park?

No. It is illegal to collect or remove petrified wood from within the National Park. The entire forest expends over nearly 100,000 acres, and only about 5% of it is located within the park. The petrified wood we carry is collected from private ranches in the area of Holbrook, Arizona.