Sassafras (Sassafras albidum): Growing and Care Step by Step

In brief: Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) is a deciduous, aromatic tree 10 to 20 m tall, whose oval or lobed leaves turn yellow, orange and red in autumn. It thrives in the sun, in moist, acidic, loamy and well-drained soil, but also tolerates sandy and drier soil. It flowers from March to May, and the dark blue drupes ripen in September.

Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) is a deciduous and distinctly aromatic tree of the laurel family, native to North America, where it grows from the Atlantic coast to eastern Texas. It has variable bark colour, from grey through orange to brown, and a strikingly variable leaf shape; on a single plant, entire, two-lobed and three-lobed leaves commonly occur together.

This guide describes what position and soil sassafras needs, how to plant it and look after it, and what to watch out for from the safety point of view.

Appearance and growth of the tree

The oval to lobed leaves reach 10 to 15 centimetres, are alternate and stalked, and in autumn their colour changes from bright green to yellow, orange and brilliant red. The yellow-green, pleasantly scented flowers grow in small clusters and appear from March to May, before or at the same time as the leaves emerge. The dark blue, ellipsoid, one-seeded fruits (drupes) grow on conspicuous red stalks and ripen in September.

Under suitable conditions sassafras grows fairly quickly, especially in an open, sunny spot. In the wild it forms both single trees and small groups; in the garden it is most often planted as a specimen tree because of its striking autumn leaf colour.

Planting step by step

When planting, choose a sufficiently large, sunny plot, because over the years the tree develops a spreading crown and needs space in height as well. Prepare a planting hole larger than the root ball and fill the space with well-drained, more acidic soil, possibly improved with peat if the soil on the plot is more alkaline. After planting, water the young tree generously and mulch the trunk; mulch helps retain moisture and a steadier temperature in the root zone.

Position, soil and substrate

Sassafras grows best in full sun; in deep shade it flowers and fruits less readily and the autumn leaf colour tends to be less striking. It prefers well-drained, moist, acidic, loamy soil, but also tolerates sandy or drier soil well, as long as it is not waterlogged for long periods.

Heavy, permanently waterlogged or, conversely, strongly alkaline soil does not suit the tree and can lead to weakened growth. Before planting it is therefore advisable to check the soil pH at least roughly and, if necessary, adjust it by adding a more acidic substrate or peat.

Watering and feeding

Water young, freshly planted trees regularly until they are well rooted; later sassafras copes even with short-term drought without significant harm. More generous watering is especially important in the first two years after planting and in periods of prolonged drought without rainfall.

Feeding is not necessary to a great extent; a spring dose of compost or a mild general-purpose fertiliser for woody plants is enough. Excessive nitrogen feeding promotes fast but less resistant growth at the expense of the overall stability of the tree.

Diseases and pests

Sassafras is one of the more resistant woody plants; serious diseases and pests appear on it only exceptionally. Caterpillars of some butterfly and moth species that feed on the leaves may occasionally appear, but usually without a major impact on the overall vitality of a mature tree.

The main risk remains an unsuitable, permanently waterlogged position, which can lead to a weakened root system and subsequent susceptibility to other problems. Prevention is to choose well-drained soil and to avoid places where water stands for a long time.

Safety: safrole content

The wood and roots of sassafras contain an essential oil with a high proportion of safrole, a substance in which potential carcinogenicity has been found. For this reason the use of safrole in food and cosmetics is now banned or strictly restricted in many countries and is replaced by synthetic alternative fragrance substances. This guide therefore deliberately deals only with growing the tree as an ornamental and shade tree in the garden, not with preparing drinks or teas from the bark, roots or leaves.

Propagation

Sassafras is most often propagated by seed, which must be stratified before sowing, that is, exposed to cold for several weeks, similarly to what happens naturally outdoors over winter. Without stratification the seeds germinate only unreliably or not at all.

The second option is to use root suckers; the tree produces them naturally and in a suitable, sunny position can gradually form even a small group of genetically identical trees. If you do not want the tree to spread in this way in the garden, remove the suckers regularly at an early stage of growth.

Pruning and shaping

Sassafras usually does not require regular pruning; the natural, irregular shape of the crown is part of its typical appearance and of its ornamental value. Pruning is limited rather to removing damaged, diseased or mutually crossing branches, ideally during the dormant period, that is, late in autumn or early in spring before the buds break.

The tree tolerates larger interventions in the crown less well, so keep marked shortening of branches to the necessary minimum and prefer regular, mild maintenance to a one-off and more drastic intervention in the crown.

Sassafras in the garden

Thanks to its striking autumn leaf colour and interesting, irregular crown shape, sassafras is used in gardens mainly as a specimen, ornamental tree. Given its final height of 10 to 20 metres, you need to allow for a sufficiently large plot, so this tree is not very suitable for a small garden.

Frequently asked questions

How tall does sassafras grow?

Usually 10 to 20 metres, depending on the conditions of the position and the available space.

What soil does sassafras need?

Well-drained, moist, acidic and loamy, but it also tolerates sandy or drier soil.

Does sassafras need sun?

Yes, it prefers full sun; in shade it flowers and fruits less and the autumn leaf colours are less striking.

When does sassafras flower and fruit?

It flowers from March to May, and the dark blue fruits ripen in September.

Is it safe to make tea from sassafras bark or roots?

The wood and roots contain safrole, in which potential carcinogenicity has been found, which is why its use in food is now banned or restricted in many countries.

Is sassafras suitable for a small garden?

Rather not; it is a mature tree growing up to 20 metres that needs a sufficiently large plot.

Sources

• Sassafras albidum – Czech Wikipedia
• Sassafras albidum – Wikipedia

Updated: 11 October 2026