Sassafras Tree Facts

Native to some parts of Asia and eastern parts of North America, the sassafras tree attracts birdwatchers because of the bird population that feed on the trees. The main predator of the sassafras tree is the Japanese beetle, but the tree seems to repel mosquitoes.

Description

• Sassafras trees can reach height of 20 to 40 feet, but some trees are known to be as much as 100 feet tall. The bark of young trees is green, which slowly turns to a brownish color as the tree ages. Sassafras trees have an aroma that smells like root beer. Leaves of the sassafras tree are a little different than most trees. The sassafras has three different leaf types. Leaves can have two or three lobes and some can be oval in shape.

Uses

• People use the roots of the sassafras tree to add flavor to soda. The leaves of the tree are used to make tea. In some cultures, soaps are made using the sassafras oils for scent and leaves were used to thicken gumbo. American Indians used the sassafras tree parts to make medicines that would treat colds, arthritis, diarrhea and fever.

Wildlife

• Woodpeckers, quails, turkeys and mockingbirds feast on the blue fruit produced on the tree during the fall months. White-tailed deer, rabbits and black bears eat the leaves, bark and fruits