The sassafras tree, Sassafras albidum, is a distinctive deciduous species known for its unique foliage and aromatic properties. This medium-sized tree typically reaches heights between 30 and 60 feet, displaying leaves in three different shapes—oval, mitten-shaped, and three-lobed—often all on the same branch. The entire plant, from its bark to its leaves, emits a pleasant, spicy fragrance when bruised. Successfully purchasing a sassafras tree requires navigating the various retail options and understanding the different forms of stock available.
Primary Sources for Sassafras Stock
Local nurseries and garden centers are a reliable initial source for sassafras stock, typically offering container-grown trees ready for immediate planting. Buying locally allows for a direct, physical inspection of the tree’s health, ensuring the foliage is vibrant and the bark is free of damage before purchase. Local experts can also provide cultivar recommendations and advice specific to your regional climate and soil conditions.
For specialized varieties or bulk orders, reputable mail-order nurseries and online vendors provide a broader selection, often at a lower cost. These companies frequently ship both bare-root and containerized stock. When using online sources, select vendors with established reputations for proper packing and timely shipping to minimize transit stress on the tree.
Conservation and non-profit tree programs, such as those run by state forestry departments or organizations like the Arbor Day Foundation, offer another avenue for acquisition. These sources typically provide very young, small seedlings or “whips” at highly economical prices, sometimes in packages of multiple trees. While these young plants require more time to mature, they are an excellent option for large-scale planting or reforestation efforts.
Choosing the Right Tree Form
Bare-root stock consists of dormant trees dug from the ground with all soil washed away from the roots, and these are often sold by height, such as a 2-foot whip. This method is the most cost-effective and lighter to ship. However, the exposed roots necessitate immediate attention and planting upon arrival to prevent desiccation.
Containerized trees are grown in a nursery pot with soil, offering greater flexibility in planting time since the root system remains undisturbed. While they are heavier, more expensive, and more cumbersome to transport, the higher initial survival rate makes them appealing for many homeowners. When selecting a containerized sassafras, always check for circling roots that may have become pot-bound, as these will need to be gently loosened before planting to encourage outward growth.
Seedlings or whips are the smallest category, typically referring to one-to-two-year-old bare-root stock less than three feet tall. These young plants are highly effective for large plantings where budget is a concern. While they require several years of growth to achieve landscape presence, their small size allows them to establish a strong root system more easily than larger specimens.
Timing Your Purchase and Delivery
The optimal time to order depends primarily on the type of stock purchased. Dormant bare-root stock must be ordered in the late fall or winter for delivery in the early spring (late February to April), before the tree breaks dormancy. This timing aligns with the ideal planting window when the soil is workable but temperatures are still cool.
Conversely, containerized trees provide more flexibility and can be purchased and planted throughout the spring, summer, and fall, provided you can maintain consistent soil moisture during warmer months. However, purchasing during the cooler seasons minimizes transplant shock and reduces the immediate need for intensive watering. Ordering early from online vendors in the late winter often ensures better selection before popular sizes sell out.
Upon receiving a mail-order tree, whether bare-root or containerized, prompt handling is paramount for successful establishment. Immediately open the package to inspect the stock, checking for signs of stress such as broken branches or dry root systems. For bare-root stock, the roots should be temporarily stored in a cool, dark location, kept moist with damp newspaper or peat moss, or briefly soaked in water for a few hours prior to planting to rehydrate the fine root hairs.