In the silicification of woods, silica dissolves in hydrothermal fluid and seeps into lignin in cell walls. Precipitation of silica out of the fluids produces silica deposition within the voids, especially in the cell walls. Cell materials are broken down by the fluids, yet the structure remains stable due to the development of minerals. Cell structures are slowly replaced by silica. Continuous penetration of siliceous fluids results in different stages of silicification ie. primary and secondary. The loss of fluids over time leads to the cementation of silicified woods through late silica addition. 
The rate of silicification depends on a few factors:
1) Rate of breakage of original cells
2) Availability of silica sources and silica content in the fluid
3) Temperature and pH of silicification environment  
4) Interference of other diagenetic processes  
These factors affect the silicification process in many ways. The rate of breakage of original cells controls the development of the mineral framework, hence the replacement of silica. Availability of silica directly determines the silica content in fluids. The higher the silica content, the faster silicification could take place. The same concept applies to the availability of hydrothermal fluids. The temperature and pH of the environment determine the condition for silicification to occur. This is closely connected to the burial depth or association with volcanic events. Interference of other diagenetic processes could sometimes create disturbance to silicification. The relative time of silicification to other geological processes could serve as a reference for further geological interpretations.