Sassafras albidum

Common Name: Sassafras

Sassafras is aromatic in all its parts. Historically, it has found medicinal uses and was the raw ingredient used to make “root beer”. It surely found its way into “moonshine” for some spicy flavoring. Its foliage is distinctive with 4 different shapes: right and left-handed mitten, un-lobed, and tri-lobed. Difficult to propagate reliably, it is nevertheless a trouble-free native American tree once established in the landscape. Often suckers if it is disturbed. Occurring in groves of small trees, along fence rows, and in abandoned fields in its native range; if it grows on its own in the open it can reach a height of 60 ft. with a 2-3 ft. trunk diameter. Needless to say, trees of this size are now rare and merit protection.