Sassafras Sassafras albidum

Common sassafras is an aromatic deciduous flowering tree that is found in all areas of North Carolina except the higher mountains. In early to mid-spring, small, bright yellow-green flower clusters are borne in 2-inch stalks on separate male and female trees. Female trees produce a blue, fleshy drupe that is borne in a red cup attached to a red stalk. In the fall, the leaves turn a beautiful yellow to orange to red. The tree is a member of the Lauraceae or laurel family.

The common sassafras is native to southwestern Maine to central Michigan, southeastern Iowa to eastern Texas, and east and central Florida. They can be found in woodlands, abandoned fields, groves, and along fences and roadsides. 

The genus name, Sassafras, is most likely an adaption from a Native American name. The epithet, albidum, means "whitish," and references the undersides of the tree's leaves.

This tree prefers well-drained sandy, acidic soils but will adapt to other soils if well-drained. It will grow in sun to partial shade and is drought tolerant once established. A large taproot makes the transplanting of established trees difficult. It tends to want to sucker repeatedly and will spread to form thickets. If a single-trunk tree is desired, these suckers will need to be removed. Sassafras can be pruned and kept at shrub size by cutting them to the ground every 2-3 years. This tree also needs to be protected from extreme winter weather. 

This tree produces flowers early in the spring and develops uniquely shaped leaves. The leaves are bright green and either ovate or spoon-shaped, mitten-shaped, or three-lobed or fork-shaped. The underside of the leaf is paler or white. The fall foliage of orange, red and yellow had an interest in the landscape. All parts of the common sassafras are aromatic. If the young bark is scratched, it releases a spicy scent. Native bees nest in the dead, hollow stems, so gardeners are encouraged to cut back dead stems to 12 to 24 inches and allow them to remain standing until they disintegrate on their own. Read more about best practices for stem-nesting bees in this NC Extension publication.

The common sassafras may be used in naturalized areas or provide a screen in large areas by allowing the suckers to spread or colonize. The tree may also be used as a shade tree, street tree, or specimen. 

Seasons of Interest:

Bark:  Winter       Bloom:  Spring      Foliage: Summer and Fall     Fruits:  Fall

Quick ID Hints: 

• aromatic, ornamental, medium-sized deciduous tree, matures to a dense, pyramidal tree
• the bark is reddish-brown and furrowed as it ages
• the flowers are greenish-yellow blooms that appear in clusters from April to May
• the leaves are variable from ovate, mitten-shaped, or three-lobed 
• the leaves are bright green on the upper surface and paler or white beneath
• the fruits are clusters of bluish-black drupes in a scarlet cup on scarlet stalks

Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems:  The trees can develop a variety of insect and disease problems that are generally not serious. Potential pests include root borers, leaf feeders, and sucking insects. Swallowtail butterflies like to eat the leaves. Foliage diseases such as southern fungus and leaf spots can occur. It is also susceptible to laurel wilt.  It may experience root rot if grown in wet, clay soils. The leaves may turn yellow while veins remain green (chlorosis) in alkaline soils. This tree is highly susceptible to fire damage. 

 VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.