I'm always curious when I'm pulling out sticks and branches from 3 ft deep in a flood layer.
Does anyone know how long pieces of wood would last submerged in conditions like that? Would it tend to decay faster or slower? Is it an indication as to the age of the layer at all?
I've noticed its always the top flood layer I find that in.

Usually wood will decay slower, when covered in wet mud or clay. As long as the soil/mud is to wet for soil bacteria (compost). And low acid.

Some people go out and find 100 year old trees in the rivers used by old logging operations. The wood is sold for a high prices, and makes good quality wood products.

Some wood support poles that were used for mining copper near Michigan, have been dated to 2,000 B.C. or older.

Hope that helps put it into perspective!

Yeah that makes sense and the​ same for old sunken ships I guess. I hadn't thought about that.
So as far as i know those sticks could have been buried that deep during the last ice age very possibly, and are just being preserved in the right environment.


That's crazy to think about...