  “How did it happen?” That is usually the first question asked of the rangers in the Petrified Forest. In contact with eighty thousands or more tourists each year, there are certain questions asked so many times that one learns what the average person is most curious about in connection with these petrified trees. Here are the most popular of these questions, together with the answers, shorn of technical terms: Why are none of the trees standing? This is simply an exposed deposit of petrified logs that came here from a distance, as driftwood. How were they brought here? Probably by rivers in flood periods. This region might have been the mouth of a large river as is indicated by the crossbedded sandstone. Why are they piled up in particular spots? This was at one time an inland sea. The trees floated here, and were swept by whirlpools or strong currents into eddys where they became waterlogged and sank. How long ago was that? Men who have made a lifetime study of it, say it was from ten to forty million years ago. What became of the sea that was here? Gradual upheaval of the country, aided by earthquakes and volcanic action, raised this area and drained it. The Sierras were probably brought to their present height during these disturbances. What kind of trees are they? Mostly an extinct species of cone bearing tree. (Araucarioxylon Arizonicum.) How big were these trees? Some of them are now a hundred feet long, and six to eight feet in diameter. The Natural Bridge is one hundred and eleven feet long. The height of some of these trees while standing was doubtless two hundred feet or more. Why did they turn to rock? They did not really turn to stone. Silica and minerals in solution were forced into the wood, dissolved it, and replaced the wood cells with their own substance. How is it polished? By a process of grinding with carborundum and diamond dust, then rubbed with leather buffer. It approaches the diamond in hardness and an ordinary emery wheel will scarcely mark it. What is the weight of the petrified wood? About 200 pounds to the cubic foot. It varies. Why can’t visitors take specimens away with them? First: Because it is against the United States Law. After that comes consideration of future visitors to the Petrified Forest National Monument. When one reflects that there are about eighty thousand visitors here annually and that if each visitor took what pleased him, it is an unrefutable fact the best specimens would speedily disappear. A visitor would not be satisfied with one small piece. There would be the home folks to consider; the neighbor that fed the left-at-home cat, and the friend who loaned his kodak for the trip. These would all need souvenirs. It would be difficult to choose among several beautiful pieces and so a compromise would be made by taking all of them. Courtesy National Park Service They leave their sleeping places in the sides of the marl hills and roll to levels below. What is a National Monument? An area set aside by the President of the United States to preserve regions of scientific, historic or prehistoric interest. What is the area of the Petrified Forest National Monument? 25,908 acres. Who has charge of it? The National Park Service, one of the largest and the most important bureaus of the Department of the Interior. A custodian and several Park Rangers are the immediate representatives of the Government on the Reservation. Courtesy National Park Service As the soil slowly settles beneath these giants their weight dismembers them. In this way they were broken in the lengths we find them now. |
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