Petrified Wood in the San Jacinto River, Conroe, Texas

Petrified wood may be found in sand bars along the San Jacinto River, Conroe, Texas. I usually gain access to the river where it crosses I45. Another access point is behind the Magnolia Bend subdivision. (caution: do not cross private land without permission from the land owner)

The size of the petrified wood varies, with some pieces being less than one-inch long, while others are up to 8-inches long. Colors are mostly black or brown, some being white, yellow or orange. Based on geological information, this wood is from the Pleistocene to Eocene periods, making it 3 to 40 million years old.

In addition to petrified wood, white quartz, pink quartz, red jasper, and black jasper may be found in the river. Some of these stones take a nice polish when tumbled.




It is easy to tell petrified wood from real wood. Although they both look similar, petrified wood is heavy and doesn't float. The petrification process starts when wood is buried in mud, sand or volcanic ash. Water then penetrates the decaying wood cells, filling them with matter. Eventually the wood becomes solid stone.

Over the years a number of informative articles about petrified wood have been written. See the following link:
http://www.hgms.org/StartPageHTMLFiles/PaleoPetrifiedWoodArticles/ArticlesOnP...


Video by Ken Kramm, Copyright 2010

Category:

Education

Tags:

• petrified wood
• San Jacinto River
• Conroe
• Texas
• rockhound
• nature
• quartz
• jasper
• river
• rock collecting

[txredneckcop]

Thanks for the video. Brings back great memories from growing up in Conroe and exploring the banks of the river with friends. Living in San Antonio now, I miss hearing the sounds of the bugs and birds chirping away!

[KennethKramm]

@txredneckcop You're welcome. The San Antonio area is great. Lot's of interesting places to hike, camp and explore. Ken

[floydstinkyboy]

now that it has rained in your area, it's probably safe to build a campfire.

 all you need is some petrified hotdogs and s'mores, and you are set! ☮ fsb

[KennethKramm]

@floydstinkyboy Yep, the fire ban was lifted yesterday.  Last night, we had a big campfire at Kelly Pond (which is still dry) in the Sam Houston National Forest.

[vickyoftexas]

Thanks for the vid, Ken. I'll have to put this site on my list to hunt. ;D

[KennethKramm]

@vickyoftexas I know you will enjoy it. The best time is a couple days after a big rain...that stirs up the rocks. Ken

[KennethKramm]

@gettingahandle It's easy to get to the spot where this video was filmed. Take the "river access road" exit from I45, just before the 1488 exit.

[gettingahandle]

take me there! Sp peaceful far from the madding nieghbours

[KennethKramm]

@mrhappy727 You are right! The black rock looks like a tektite! ummmm.... Thanks for pointing it out.

[mrhappy727]

In the middle of the picture at frame 1:38 The black rock looks like a tektite. There is 140 mile long an 5 mile wide debris field near austin. the impact was chesapeak bay.