Read More About It - A Coal Age Tree Stump

Fossil Coal Tree Stump
Illinois State Museum Exhibit

Fossilized stumps and roots of lycopod trees are sometimes found in their original growth position. Roots are common in clay or shale layers just below coal beds. Stumps occur above and sometimes within the coal. These fossils are discovered during mining.

This stump is from a coal mine in southern Illinois. The plant's original carbon has been preserved as coal.