PlantsTrees
Sassafras
Sassafras albidum
Chicago-region native. Suited to zone 6a.
Three leaf shapes, spice, and a thicket if it suckers
ModerateTreesAlso Shrubs & Vines
- Light
- Full sun–part shade
- Moisture
- Medium
- Mature size
- 30–50 ft
- Spacing
- Give the colony room
- Bloom or harvest
- Yellow flowers Apr, blue fruit on female trees
- How it spreads
- Root suckers
- What to buy
- A container tree. Fall plant is safer than a torn root.
- When to plant
- Apr or Sep
In the design
Beautiful and a bit of a project. It wants to send up shoots. Fine at the back of a deep lot. Don’t eat the roots because a tea recipe said so.
Handle with care
Don’t make sassafras tea from the root. Safrole is the reason it left the grocery shelf.
