MASSACHUSETTS FOREST TREES 



SASSAFRAS (Sassafras sassafras Karst.) 



1~HE 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 



branches 



h a v e a 



whor led 



ap p e a r- 



anCC. They 



are always short and stout, and frequently 



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 



Leaves and young fruit. One-third natural size. 



SASSAFRAS 



Winter twig 

 and buds. One- 

 half natural 

 size. 



