A farmer in Pengzhou, Sichuan Province, who thought he had struck it rich after uncovering a perfectly preserved petrified tree has been offered just 70,000 yuan ($11,028) for his troubles by local officials.

The government maintains the tree, which was found in a riverbank in front of his home, is the property of the State.

"The decision was made based on the General Principles of Civil Law, which stipulates that the State owns objects that are buried beneath the earth," Chen Bin from the State-owned assets office under the city's bureau of finance said Tuesday.

"We decided to give him 50,000 yuan, based on the costs he incurred renting an excavator," Chen added.

Guo Kunlong, magistrate of Tongji township, said the township will reward Gao another 20,000-yuan for his discovery.

The farmer, Wu Gaoliang, discovered the petrified tree in February. He hired an excavator on February 9, but police ordered Wu to stop digging.

Guo said seven petrified trees have now been unearthed.

Wu said he had been offered 12 million yuan from a buyer for the single tree he found.

"There are many people selling ancient wood they've dug up, will theirs now be taken back by the State?" Wu asked.

"If Wu has a dispute with the local authorities, he can resort to legal action," Chen said.

Some experts believe Wu may have a good case as petrified trees are not specifically defined in law.

"These buried trees do not belong to the category of fossil or mineral, nor can they be considered a cultural relic," said Ding Wuming, director of the Pengzhou Museum.

Global Times