How can I tell if a rock is really petrified wood?

Question

I found a rock in the Mojave desert and it resembles a tree branch including what appears to be wood grain. Is there some test or observation that can be done at home to conclusively answer my question?

Answer 1

There are two ways to identify petrified wood:

1. Use your unaided eyes to observe a wood specimen
2. It should have natural colors and smooth edges.
3. The sample should lack bark and show white wood-dried sap.
4. Look for growth rings and wood or bark patterns that indicate rings or grains.
5. The specimen should display transparency; light should pass through it.
6. View the sample with a magnifying lens or microscope
7. Look for lines of different thicknesses on the specimen.
8. View the wood at different intensities, looking for wood-cell patterns.
9. Look for various colors that indicate minerals or trace elements.
10. Check for large circular cells within the wood's cellular pattern.