Indeed, Arizona's most best known attraction is the world's most famous monument to erosion. After all, Arizona is nicknamed the Grand Canyon State . Arizona's state symbols are also grand. Arizona's state tree, the palo verde, is also in a class by itself. Similarly, no other state is represented by Arizona's state bird, mammal, reptile, amphibian, fish, or fossil.
Petrified wood is found across the continent and around the world.
But Arizona petrified wood is a local treasure. Arizona shares its official gemstone only with its neighbors, Nevada and New Mexico. This makes turquoise the most important symbol of the Southwest. Actually, some folks would argue that flags are the most important Southwest resource. Texas, Colorado, and California also boast unusually nice state flags.