Sassafras

Sassafras albidum

1. Origin: Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) is native to eastern North America. It can be found in various regions, including the eastern United States and parts of Canada.

2. Tree Characteristics: Sassafras is a deciduous tree that can reach a height of 30-60 feet (9-18 meters) with a spread of 25-40 feet (7.6-12 meters). It has an irregular, open crown and distinctive mitten-shaped leaves. The leaves can have three different shapes on the same tree: unlobed, mitten-shaped, or three-lobed.

3. Fragrance: Sassafras is known for its aromatic properties. When the leaves or bark are crushed, they release a pleasant, spicy fragrance reminiscent of root beer or citrus.

MAINTENANCE NEEDS: Low Maintenance.  No serious pests or diseases.  May develop chlorosis in alkaline soils.  Difficult to transplant once established due to deep taproot.  If root suckers not removed tree will begin to take on appearance of a large multi-stemmed shrub.

LANDSCAPE USES:  Group Plantings or Specimen Tree, Naturalized Areas, Wildlife Gardens, Privacy Screen, and  Shade Tree

COMPANION PLANTS:  Blue Star, Sweet Gum, Flowering Dogwood

IMAGES:  Pymouss,  Rennes ParcOberthur Sassafras albidum,  CC BY-SA 3.0, (2)  Famartin,  2020-04-20 17 11 38 View up into the crown of a Sassafras in bloom along Virginia Willow Drive in the Franklin Glen section of Chantilly, Fairfax County, Virginia,  CC BY-SA 4.0, (3)  Famartin,  2020-10-22 12 16 02 A Sassafras in autumn along Oak Ivy Lane in the Franklin Glen section of Chantilly, Fairfax County, Virginia,  CC BY-SA 4.0, (4)  Michael Rivera,  Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens, Sassafras albidum,  CC BY-SA 4.0, (5) Photo by David J. Stang,  Sassafras albidum 0zz,  CC BY-SA 4.0, (6) Photo by David J. Stang,  Sassafras albidum 2zz,  CC BY-SA 4.0

*As plants have ranges in appearance they may not appear as the images shown.