<P> Petrified wood ( from the Greek root petro meaning `` rock '' or `` stone '' ; literally `` wood turned into stone '' ) is the name given to a special type of fossilized remains of terrestrial vegetation . It is the result of a tree or tree - like plants having completely transitioned to stone by the process of permineralization . All the organic materials have been replaced with minerals ( mostly a silicate , such as quartz ) , while retaining the original structure of the stem tissue . Unlike other types of fossils which are typically impressions or compressions , petrified wood is a three - dimensional representation of the original organic material . The petrifaction process occurs underground , when wood becomes buried under sediment or volcanic ash and is initially preserved due to a lack of oxygen which inhibits aerobic decomposition . Mineral - laden water flowing through the covering material deposits minerals in the plant 's cells ; as the plant 's lignin and cellulose decay , a stone mold forms in its place . The organic matter needs to become petrified before it decomposes completely . A forest where such material has petrified becomes known as a petrified forest . </P>
<P> Petrified wood ( from the Greek root petro meaning `` rock '' or `` stone '' ; literally `` wood turned into stone '' ) is the name given to a special type of fossilized remains of terrestrial vegetation . It is the result of a tree or tree - like plants having completely transitioned to stone by the process of permineralization . All the organic materials have been replaced with minerals ( mostly a silicate , such as quartz ) , while retaining the original structure of the stem tissue . Unlike other types of fossils which are typically impressions or compressions , petrified wood is a three - dimensional representation of the original organic material . The petrifaction process occurs underground , when wood becomes buried under sediment or volcanic ash and is initially preserved due to a lack of oxygen which inhibits aerobic decomposition . Mineral - laden water flowing through the covering material deposits minerals in the plant 's cells ; as the plant 's lignin and cellulose decay , a stone mold forms in its place . The organic matter needs to become petrified before it decomposes completely . A forest where such material has petrified becomes known as a petrified forest . </P>
petrified wood is an example of what type of fossil
petrified wood is an example of what type of fossil
three - dimensional representation of the original organic material
three - dimensional representation of the original organic material