An explanation for lycopod configuration, ‘Fossil Grove’ Victoria Park, Glasgow

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Abstract
Synopsis: The ‘Fossil Grove’, Glasgow, is the only site of in situ Carboniferousaged plants that have been curated for future generations to study. A model is proposed based upon sedimentological and preservational aspects that explains the debated origin of the distorted configuration of the tree bases. Uniform distortion of the stumps in a NE–SW direction is believed to have resulted from the influx of the moulding sand at high velocity into a partially decayed stand of trees. This is evidenced by the southwestward paleocurrent direction deduced from ripple marks and transported plant detritus in the uppermost horizons of the sand body. Subsequent casting by continued influx of sand preserved the stand in its ‘streamlined’ configuration. Regional tectonism is not considered responsible for the slightly elongated condition of the preserved ‘Fossil Grove’ as proposed by previous authors.

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