Looks like a beautiful place with high quality plants. My question is this. Where exactly did they obtain those huge chunks, almost a complete, petrified tree? There is a state(?), national(?) park here in AZ call the Petrified Forest and Painted Dessert. It is slowly and sadly disappearing because treasure hunters and businesses are walking away with pieces of it.

Has anyone thought to inquire of the owners exactly where and how they obtained this 'fossil'? They may not be selling it but do they have a 'legal' right to it. I'm sure it didn't just crop up on their property or in one of their back yards.

If it is not there 'legally' and with permission of the state/government perhaps it should be reported and the petrified tree returned to where it may have possibly come from?

Just a thought for what it's worth. I can say this will be a reason for me to NOT shop there regardless of their quality, service and reputation. The possession of this petrified tree raises to many legal and ethical questions for myself and makes me reconsider patronizing a business that may have something they have no rights to.

Notice I use the words, "may" and "possibly" when speaking as I can not make any definitive claims or accusations.

If the owners of the nursery would like to respond to this question I welcome their response.

Respectfully,
AG

I hadn't seen your post, AG. In fact, I didn't even notice the chunks of petrified wood when we visited, but they are seen in many places. I think most of them were probably removed from the site long before it became protected. When I was a child, I saw huge logs of it everywhere. It was seen in nearly every tourist shop. When I was young, shops sold bits of it for souvenirs. Somewhere I probably still have the little piece I got long ago.