Sassafras

A native North American tree known for its brilliant display of autumn foliage and aromatic smell.

• Grows to about 30 to 60 feet. Trunk diameter is often 2 feet wide or larger. 

• Produces dark-blue, fleshy, one-seeded drupes are about one-third inch long, held in deep red cups and on stalks up to two inches long. Not safe for human consumption.

• Their leaves are very unique, they grow in three different forms/shapes on the same plant: an oval shape, a mitten shaped leaf, and a three-lobed leaf

• Bark appearance is brown, with cinnamon-brown inner bark, becoming coarsely ridged and furrowed; when cut the spicy aroma is obvious.

• This tree can repel mosquitos and other insects. Native Americans first used the tree for medicinal purposes and a cooking spice.