Albidum

Mature size: 20 to 40 feet in height and 1 to one and a half in diameter

The Sassafras is a small tree with a twisted trunk and flat-topped crown, often forming thickets. Its natural habitat is the open woods and abandoned fields, especially on moist sandy loam soils. Its leaves are alternate, simple, with smooth edges, mitten-shaped, and 3-lobed. Flowers are small but showy and bright yellow-green. Twigs have a spicy-sweet aroma when broken. The berries are a favorite of many songbirds. Because it readily forms thickets on disturbed sites, sassafras can be valuable as a soil stabilizer.

Fun facts: The wood is soft and brittle. The roots and bark contain an oil used for perfumes and flowering. Sassafras was used medically by Native Americans. At one time, sassafras was the main ingredient flavoring root beer.

For more information:

http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=84