trace fossil, squished plant?

[Dsailor]

Hi Folks,

Found this fossil yesterday. It is Devonian from the Gilboa formation in New York. It might not even be a fossil but I was thinking a trace fossil or a squished plant. Any insight would be appreciated.

[Dsailor]

[Fossildude19]

Dom,

Glad you got out hunting a bit - must've been cold. 

How was the snow cover?

 

Hmm. Interesting. 
I'm not sure it's well preserved enough to be able to tell, one way, or the other.  

 

I brightened and contrasted your pics a bit. 

 

         

 

Let's see what some others have to say about it. 

Regards,

[Dsailor]

There really wasn't any snow to speak of. The river was a bit higher. I did find some nice branching stems and stuff.

[Fossildude19]

Well, ... I'm guessing here, but I would be more inclined to think poorly preserved plant remains. 

Maybe one of the plant guys will chime in?

 

@Plantguy   @paleoflor

[Rockwood]

Not an expert, but I've come to the habit of thinking of this look as being most likely roots.

[Dsailor]

On 3/8/2017 at 6:38 AM, Rockwood said:

Not an expert, but I've come to the habit of thinking of this look as being most likely roots.

That's what I was leaning toward too

[abyssunder]

Plant material, not trace fossils, IMO.

[EMP]

3 hours ago, Dsailor said:

That's what I was leaning toward too

 

For the sake of argument I'll go with the stem off of a woody plant like Archaeopteris.