The sassafras ( Sassafras albidum ) is a small , handsome deciduous tree with a pinnacle of about 30 feet and a ranch of about 20 metrical unit . It can be produce in U.S. Hardiness Zones 6 to 8 . It is beautiful as a stand - alone feature in your landscape with yellow peak in other saltation before leaves appear , attractive foliage late outpouring until twilight , bright yellow to fiery orange tinge in fall , and lovely barque and interesting branch for a pretty winter silhouette .
The sassafras Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree is aboriginal to North America . Aside from being a strikingly attractive tree , it is sometimes grown for the medicinal properties of its fragrant roots . Some historical business relationship assign the beckoning aroma of the sassafras tree to Columbus ’s discovery of demesne in the Americas . Long before Columbus , Native Americans had been using the sassafras tree ’s leaves and roots for medicinal purposes . Many today enjoy sassafras tea leaf made from the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree root , and sassafras leaves are used to season Hibiscus esculentus and other Creole dishes .
How to grow and care for the sassafras tree
To start the sassafras tree from germ , plant the seed 1/2 inch deep in coolheaded dirt during the drop where it will lie dormant . In the leap , the cryptical spigot antecedent will start to develop , so fertilize with a root growing stimulator . When the atmospheric condition is dry , make certain to irrigate your seeded player . Cover with a peat moss mulch to keep moisture . Once your sapling is able to produce a dozen suckers , make out the suckers back to asseverate the strength of your original sapling . You may want to support your youthful sapling to encourage it to get straight .
You may be tempted to get a jump-start on maturation by transplanting a wild Sassafras albidum , but this is not commend . Transplants of the sassafras tree are hard due to their prospicient taproot . Rather , purchase a more mature sapling in a container from your local glasshouse .
Whether started from seed or purchased in a more constituted res publica , the sassafras tree have a go at it the Dominicus . It will display the most spectacular fall foliage if grown in full Dominicus , but it will grow in fond tincture as well . It prefers somewhat acidulent grime . Sand and well - drain Henry Clay is recommend , although rocky location go well also . The sassafras tree is highly patient of to drought situations , but it choose moist , well - draining water experimental condition .
The sassafras tree diagram can be pruned depending on your taste . It has a trend to produce multiple trunks which adds property and sake . However , for urban and suburban growing , a undivided trunk may be favored . Prune betimes in the life sentence of the tree diagram to one trunk . The tree will maintain this single trunk form without further pruning .
A pollinated female sassafras tree will produce a passably violet fruit that will ripen in the autumn . This fruit attract birds and other wildlife to be enjoy in your garden landscape .
Pests and problems
The sassafras tree is a stout one . It generally is not prone to pests , but it can be get to by Japanese beetle , promethea moth , Sassafras weevil , and scurf . Potential diseases include cankers , leaf spots , mildew , wilt , and ascendent rot . These are mostly decorative diseases . Root rot can be avoided with careful planting . The unannealed nature of this tree induce its branch susceptible to breaking in high jazz and ice cargo , so consider this when institute near home or other structures .
Learn more about the care and use of the sassafras tree by chew the fat :
http://www.caes.uga.edu/publications/pubdetail.cfm?pk_id=7763#Sassafras
http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/tree_fact_sheets/sasalba.pdf
Mother Earth Newswrites about the uses of sassafras .
Creative Commons Flickr exposure courtesy ofJ.G. in S.F.
