NAME:
COMMON – Sassafras
BOTANICAL – Sassafras albidum
FAMILY – Lauraceae

DERIVATION:
Found in all areas of North Carolina except the higher mountains. The common sassafras is native to southwestern Maine to central Michigan, southeastern Iowa to eastern Texas, and east and central Florida.

GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS:
Grows between 30 to 60 feet tall, but can reach over 70 feet in some areas.

LOCATION:
They can be found in woodlands, abandoned fields, groves, and along fences and roadsides. 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

ATTRIBUTES, VALUE, UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS:
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.

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.

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