72 



Common Trees 



SASSAFRAS 



Sassafras variifolium, (Salisbury) Kuntze 



THE Sassafras, also called Sassafrac and Saxifrax, is a 

 distinctive tree. It is recorded that Sassafras bark and 

 roots were among the first cargo shipped from the American 

 colonies. The bark and roots are still used locally in the 

 manufacture of sassafras tea. 



The leaves are sim- 

 p 1 e, alternate, e g g - 

 shaped, 4 to 6 inches 

 long, usually smooth 

 along margin. S o m e - 

 times 2 to 5-lobed 

 leaves arc found on 

 same twig with the nor- 

 mal leaves. 



The flowers appear 

 with the leaves and arc 

 of two kinds. They 

 are greenish-yellow, and 

 arranged in loose, 

 short-stalked clusters. 



The fruit is a dark 

 blue, shiny berry borne 

 on a stout red stem. It 

 is excellent bird food. 



The bark becomes 

 rough early. On old 

 trunks is r e d d i s fa- 

 brown, deeply fur- 

 rowed, separates in thin 

 scales. The twigs are 

 rather brittle, yellow- 

 ish green, aromatic, 

 sometimes hairy. The 



inner bark is very mucilaginous. The buds arc about 3/5 of 

 an inch long, slightly hairy, greenish, covered with a few 

 bud-scales. 



The wood is soft, brittle, rather durable, aromatic, dull 

 orange-brown, with light sapwood. It is used for posts, 

 rails, furniture, interior finishing, crates, coffins. 



The Sassafras is found from Massachusetts to Florida and 

 west to Michigan and Texas. It occurs throughout Ohio. 

 In the southeastern part it is locally abundant. Here it 

 sometimes forms thickets with Sumac and Persimmon. It 

 rarely exceeds 70 feet in height and 3 feet in diameter. 



SASSAFRAS 



One-fourth natural size. 



Single flowers and bud, enlarged. 



