About
Sprays of small, green to yellow flowers open with the leaves and may be followed, on female trees, by red-stalked, dark blue berries. An upright tree with fissured bark, which spreads by suckers. The attractive, three-lobed, aromatic foliage is light, glossy green and turns to shades of bright red, yellow and orange in the autumn.
About the genus
Sassafras are deciduous trees with deeply fissured bark and glossy aromatic leaves which colour well in autumn. The inconspicuous male and female flowers are carried on separate trees and females can produce showy fruit
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeTrees
HabitColumnar upright, Suckering
FoliageDeciduous
HeightHigher than 12 metres
Spreadwider than 8 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, Cottage and informal garden
Native toE North America
FragranceFoliage
Care notes
CultivationNot always an easy tree to please. Likes woodland conditions - deep, moist but well-drained, preferably acid soil in sun or dappled shade. Mature trees are hardy but young trees can suffer frost damage
PruningPruning group 1. Remove suckers unless a thicket is required
PropagationPropagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe; take root cuttings in winter
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free