Stearns in McCreary County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Sandstone Tree Stump
Photographed By Tom Bosse, September 15, 2023
1. Sandstone Tree Stump Marker
Inscription.
Sandstone Tree Stump. . In 1989 a surface-mining company in Tennessee unearthed this stump buried 30 feet underground. The two-ton stump measures 15 feet in circumference and almost 6 feet in diameter. Geologists from the University of Kentucky indicate this is not a petrified stump but a sandstone replacement of a tree that was growing 300 to 315 million years ago. The tree rotted or dissolved and was replaced with sandstone rather than petrified agate-like material found in the Petrified Forests of the US. Billy J. Kidd of McCreary County, an employee of the surface-mining company, brought the stump to the McCreary County Museum and a crane was used to place this unusual specimen in its present location.
In 1989 a surface-mining company in Tennessee unearthed this stump buried 30 feet underground. The two-ton stump measures 15 feet in circumference and almost 6 feet in diameter. Geologists from the University of Kentucky indicate this is not a petrified stump but a sandstone replacement of a tree that was growing 300 to 315 million years ago. The tree rotted or dissolved and was replaced with sandstone rather than petrified agate-like material found in the Petrified Forests of the US. Billy J. Kidd of McCreary County, an employee of the surface-mining company, brought the stump to the McCreary County Museum and a crane was used to place this unusual specimen in its present location.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Paleontology. In addition, it is included in the Historic Trees series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1989.
Location. 36° 41.955′ N, 84° 28.621′ W. Marker is in Stearns, Kentucky, in McCreary County. Marker is at the intersection of Henderson Street and Golf Course Road, on the left when traveling east on Henderson Street. Marker is located in front of the McCreary County Museum. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Stearns KY 42647, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 21, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2023, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 74 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on September 20, 2023, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
