MASSACHUSETTS FOREST TREES 



SASSAFRAS (Sassafras sassafras Karst.) 



THE Sassafras occurs in almost every part of Massa- 

 chusetts. It grows in various soils and situations 

 but prefers a rich, somewhat sandy, well- drained soil. 

 For the most part it is a small tree. Usually its 

 height would not be much above thirty feet and its 

 diameter 

 much over 

 twelve 

 inches. 

 The stem 

 is rarely 

 erect, and 

 is often 

 bent and 

 crooked. 

 In young 

 trees the 

 branche s 

 h a v e a 

 whor le d 

 app e ar- 



rrvi Leaves and young fruit. One- third natural size. \, 



are always short and stout, and frequently SASSAFRAS 



they are contorted. The head is narrow and 



flat. The bark of the old trunk is thick, 



dark reddish-brown and strongly ridged. 



On young stems the bark is greenish and finely striate. 



The twigs are yellowish-green and have strong aromatic 



properties, as does the bark of all the parts. 



The leaves are simple, alternate and of greatly vary- 

 ing outline. Sometimes they are entire and then again 

 they are three-lobed. In summer the foliage is dark 

 green and in the autumn it turns to yellow or to orange 

 tinged with red. The flowers are small, greenish-yellow 

 and appear in May when the leaves are unfolding. 



The fruit is a small, dark blue, lustrous berry which 

 ripens in early fall. The wood is light, soft, brittle 

 and very durable when in contact with the soil. It is 

 used for posts, in construction of light boats and in 

 cooperage. The roots supply the oil of sassafras. 



49 



SASSAFRAS 



Winter twig 

 and buds. One- 

 half natural 

 size. 



