Help with this rock please

[beverly-horsetalk]

This slab of rock (slate maybe?) was given to my dad in the 1960's or 70's.  There are "tree" or "bush" like designs on it.  I don't know if these are natural or if an artist has done it - anybody have any insight?  Thank you.

[maxine*j · Accepted solution]

It looks like shale with fossil plants.  Do a Google image search on somethinh like "shale with fossil plants" or "fossil plants in shale" or similar, along those lines, and see what you think.  You might add the word "carboniferous" to one of your searches, too.

=

[argon38]

Are those holes for hanging at the top? I suppose it's possible that it might  be an artwork inspired by the fossils mentioned by Maxine.

[sonomabarn67]

I see drilled authentic artifacts all the time. Can your camera take pure macro, not just close up photos and not just enlargements of your existing photos?  I can't comment without seeing it closer. Your camera should have that setting.

[chip_free]

Hi Bev ,  I have several of these I got from an Indian sandstone importer. I used to think that these were rare and valuable prehistoric fossils but since have found that these Natural forming plant fossils in stone are Dendritic minerals (iron and manganese oxides)

Dendritic Sandstone formations are delicate paintings by nature resembling ferns, leaves and plants. Formed naturally, these inclusions of iron oxide and manganese oxide spread between rock layers to form branching crystaline structures called dendrites. They are split open at these points to reveal the "paintings". This is not a fossil, but a natural mineralogical process. The word dendrite comes from the Greek word for "tree" in reference to the pattern. Usually these stones have Black "trees" and the Brown is much harder to find.

Not a Fossil Plant but a Pseudofossil
https://blog.everythingdinosaur.co.uk/blog/_archives/2018/05/31/not-a-fossil.html

Cheers Les

[maxine*j]

@beverly-horsetalk 

I tried to help, but I really do think that the correct answer is the one given by @chip_free

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[beverly-horsetalk]

Very helpful - thank you for that information - that makes sense!!

[maxine*j]

@beverly-horsetalk 

I am so glad you returned to see what I am sure is the correct answer.  I think  you can "uncheck" my post as the "Solved" post and check the post by @chip_free instead.  That way, if  people see this thread sometime in the future, they'll immediately see the correct identification.

Your rock piece is neat, and I learned something, too!

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[beverly-horsetalk]

Not sure how to mark this as solved, but thanks to Chip-free, I have my answer, thanks for everybody's help!!

[barry-goodknight]

I think it's natural. I used to find lots of rock with this exact design on my property in the mountains. 

[deltilogical]

Good information.  I'm told the Chinese are making fake fossils for the Western market.