Coalified wood prep (experimental)

[Shaun-DFW Fossils]

I found 2 nice pieces of coalified wood sticking out of a clay creek bank near the border of the woodbine and eagleford in southern Tarrant County TX a few weeks apart. The first one cracked into a million pieces after it dried out, though I was at least entertained when I placed it in water and it started popping like a bowl of Rice Krispies, or like the sound of a forest fire. So I sent my larger piece I acquired later to the woody beauty shop for a makeover, giving it a couple of coatings of a glossy polyurethane spray. It’s far from perfect, but at least it looks pretty close to how it looked when I found it and maybe it’ll stay together for a few years. Whatever the mud colored object is, it gradually worked its way out of an exposed cavity on one edge of the wood. Also note what I think are marks left by ship worms (?) on the outside. I find it all very interesting, maybe due to my imagination.

[DPS Ammonite]

The bulbs are Terridolites trace fossils formed by bivalves.

 

I also noticed that the wood crackled. I tried to freeze it which was not a practical long term solution.

 

I sprayed my wood with acrylic clear spray which is still OK after a dozen years.

 

 

 

Edited February 8 by DPS Ammonite

[Shaun-DFW Fossils]

Thanks for the sharing! Funny I used a similar description without even realizing it. I’ll have to write down the acrylic spray as another possible treatment!

[Lone Hunter]

That's a pretty specimen!  I had a little piece I posted long time ago,  for days it sat there randomly clicking a couple times an hour and I was convinced there was something alive  trapped inside. That's how I learned, kinda funny looking back.  Heard that the creek won a round, swallowed some tools.   Been there done that.  

Edited February 8 by Lone Hunter

[Jaybot]

I've found coalified wood in the past in KS, but never bothered to keep it due to fragility.  Interesting technique, might have to try this sometime.

[Sjfriend]

On 2/7/2024 at 9:36 PM, DPS Ammonite said:

 

 

 

 

But when he threw it out it kept coming back 

Edited February 13 by Sjfriend