Key Facts
- Native deciduous tree of eastern North America
- Leaves variable in shape including mitten lobed forms
- Small yellowish spring flowers produced before or with leaf out
- Fruit is a blue drupe eaten and dispersed by birds
- Often spreads by root suckers and can form colonies
- Contains safrole in roots and oil which has known toxic and regulatory concerns
- Grows in a range of soils but prefers well drained sites
- Typically grown in USDA hardiness zones 4–9
Sassafras is a native North American deciduous tree valued for its aromatic, often lobed leaves and small yellow spring flowers. It makes a striking specimen or a naturalizing colony where root suckering is acceptable, while roots and oils contain safrole and are not recommended for ingestion.
Identification
Sassafras has variable leaves that may be unlobed, mitten shaped, or three lobed which makes it easy to recognize in leafed seasons. Small yellowish flowers appear in spring before or with leaf out and develop into blue drupes that attract birds. Typical mature height is about 30 to 60 feet with a 20 to 40 foot spread.
Where to grow and common uses
Hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9, sassafras tolerates a range of soils but prefers well drained sites and acidic to neutral pH. Use it as a specimen tree, an understory tree in larger plantings, or to naturalize slopes and edges where colonies formed by suckers will not be a problem.
Planting timing and spacing
Plant to give new roots a season of establishment before extreme heat or cold by planting in spring when soil is workable or in mild fall climates. Give single specimens room to mature by spacing 20 to 40 feet apart and expect additional width where root suckers produce new stems.
Soil and watering
Sassafras prefers well drained loam to sandy soils and tolerates poorer and clay soils only if they drain. Avoid waterlogged sites because poor drainage causes root stress and decline. Moderate watering during establishment helps reduce transplant shock but prolonged saturation will harm the tree.
After-flowering care and pruning
After spring flowering, maintenance is minimal. Remove dead or crossing branches and thin congested growth to improve form. Cut or remove unwanted suckers at the base to limit colony spread and trim rootsprouts promptly to keep a single-stemmed specimen if desired.
Containment and naturalizing control
Sassafras commonly spreads by root suckers and can form colonies that expand beyond the original planting. To contain spread remove suckers as they appear, use a root barrier to protect beds and structures or accept naturalizing behavior by planting away from foundations and paved areas.
Toxicity and wildlife value
Roots and essential oils contain safrole which has documented toxic and regulatory concerns; avoid ingesting concentrated extracts or large amounts of root bark. Birds eat and disperse the blue drupes so sassafras provides wildlife value even as its roots and oils are not recommended for food use. For pet exposures consult local poison control.
Propagation
Propagate from fresh seed after cold stratification, from root cuttings or by transplanting root suckers. Birds disperse seed naturally and grafting is used for named cultivars. Seed germination improves with cold stratification and suckering can complicate containment in landscapes.
Frequently asked questions
- How fast does Sassafras grow?
- Growth rate varies by site and moisture but many trees reach substantial size in a few decades. Sassafras can establish colonies by root suckers which gives the appearance of rapid spread.
- How big does Sassafras get?
- Open grown specimens commonly reach 30 to 60 feet tall with a 20 to 40 foot spread, though understory trees and landscape specimens may remain much smaller.
- Is Sassafras invasive?
- Sassafras is not broadly labeled invasive but often spreads by root suckers and can naturalize into colonies where that behavior is undesirable.
- Can I plant Sassafras near a house or foundation?
- Plant away from foundations if you wish to avoid suckers and root spread. Root suckering can produce new stems some distance from the parent and may be difficult to contain near structures.
- Is Sassafras toxic to pets?
- Specific pet toxicity reports are limited. Roots and oil contain safrole and ingestion of concentrated material is discouraged. Consult local poison control or a veterinarian for exposures.
- How do I propagate Sassafras?
- Use fresh seed with cold stratification, root cuttings, or transplant root suckers. Grafting is used for selected cultivars and layering or root cuttings work where suckers are available.
Related Plants
