Sassafras trees are a distinctive sight across eastern North America. These native deciduous trees display vibrant fall colors. This guide will help you recognize this fascinating tree by examining its leaves, bark, and other distinguishing signs.
Leaf Identification
The most notable feature of a sassafras tree is its leaves, which display a variety of shapes, often all found on the same branch. One common shape is a simple, unlobed oval or elliptical form. Another distinct type resembles a “mitten,” featuring a single lobe that extends from one side. A third characteristic leaf is three-lobed, often described as trident-shaped or resembling a dinosaur footprint. Leaves with more than three lobes can also appear.
Sassafras leaves are bright green on their upper surface, with a paler, sometimes whitish, underside. The venation is visible. When crushed, the leaves release a distinctive, spicy, or citrus-like aroma, which is an identifying clue. In autumn, these leaves transform into vivid yellow, orange, red, and burgundy colors, making the tree noticeable.
Bark and Twig Features
The bark of a sassafras tree changes as it matures. On younger trees, the bark is smooth and bright green. As the tree ages, the bark thickens and develops deep furrows and ridges, giving it a rough, blocky appearance often compared to alligator hide. Mature bark is reddish-brown to gray.
Sassafras twigs are also characteristic. They are slender and bright green, often exhibiting a slightly zigzag growth pattern. Similar to the leaves, scratching or breaking a twig will release a spicy aroma. This scent is a consistent identifier across the plant, from roots to leaves and twigs.
Additional Clues and Habitat
Beyond leaves and bark, other features can help confirm the identity of a sassafras tree. In early spring, before the leaves fully emerge, sassafras trees produce small, yellowish-green flowers in loose clusters. These flowers are often inconspicuous individually but can create a noticeable display when the tree is in full bloom. Sassafras trees are dioecious, meaning male and female flowers are found on separate trees.
Female sassafras trees develop fruit in late summer and fall. These are small, dark blue, berry-like drupes, and are borne on vivid, fleshy, club-shaped red stalks. These fruits are readily consumed by various wildlife, aiding in seed dispersal. Sassafras trees are found in open woods, along forest edges, in old fields, and along roadsides; they thrive in moist, well-drained, or sandy loam soils but can adapt to a variety of soil types. They are often pioneer species, colonizing disturbed sites and forming thickets from root sprouts.