Sassafras albidum

Sassafras albidum
white sassafras

SIZE/TYPE	medium-sized tree
USUAL HEIGHT	6-10m
USUAL WIDTH	2-3m
LEAVES	deciduous broadleaf
COLOUR OF LEAVES	green
FLOWERS	insignificant or non-blooming
LOCATION	full to partial sun
USDA zone (lowest)	4 (down to -34°C)
WINTER PROTECTION
FOR ZONE 5+6
FOR ZONE 7
BELONGS TO CATEGORIES	Deciduous broadleaf Rarities

Sassafras is a beautiful tree, originally from China, Taiwan and North America, with attractive leaves. It has irregular growth making each one a specimen.

The leaves are fresh green, mostly 3-lobed with rounded ends, however on one plant you will also find leaves with 2 lobes, and also leaves that are only oval or even elliptic. They have an interesting, citrus-like scent when crushed, just like the bark and wood, and are used in aromatherapy and medicine. Autumn colours are yellow, orange and red. The bark is heavily furrowed, orange-brown. It makes slender side branches.

Sassafras is an impressive tree which, as found in China, grew to about 24 m in the nature. However, it is commonly seen reaching some 10 m tall only, and about 3m wide.

Grow sassafras in humus-rich, acidic soil that should be kept moist when the tree is young. After it established it can take drought. Cut out suckers as they arise. Fully hardy to -34°C (USDA zone 4).

Last update 01-01-2009

SIZES and PRICES

CURRENTLY SOLD OUT

GLOSSARY

STANDARD QUALITY - Plants of this group are 1st class quality with number of branches and overall density adequate to their size and age, considering they were container grown.
DE LUXE QUALITY - This label guarantees a luxurious quality of manually selected plants that, compared to their height and age, are exceptionally dense and beautiful.
EXTRA - These plants are usually mature and bigger specimens with exceptional overall appearance.
STANDARD (as described in the plant form) means a tree with a trunk of 190-210 cm and a crown at the top, unless specified differently. The commercial size for trees is their girth measured in the height of 1m from ground.
HOBBY - These plants are of the same quality as our standard-quality plants but younger and therefore cheaper.
SHRUB - a woody plant with branches growing bushy from the ground level.
HALF-STANDARD or MINI-STANDARD - a small tree with shorter trunk, its size is usually specified.
FEATHERED - These are trees with branches growing already from the base of the trunk and up along the stem.
GRASSES and PERENNIALS - Sizes given usually read the diameter of the pot or the clump, as specified.