Sassafras albidum
Specifications
Family
Lauraceae
Species
Sassafras albidum (Nutt.) Nees
sassfras
white sassfres
Description
The sapwood is white, thin, and fades into a brownish heartwood that turns orange-brown over time. The wood is faintly scented, coarsely textured, straight-grained, and has a density of around 0.50-0.55. It dries easily and has modest shrinkage. Mechanical strength is medium, and durability is good.
Plant morphology
A dioecious plant, up to 30 m tall and 1.2–1.8 m in diameter, it tends to develop numerous stems, often taking on a shrubby appearance. The bark is thin, reddish-brown, smooth when young and deeply corrugated when mature. The leaves vary in shape from entire to trilobed, taking on beautiful colors in autumn. The pentamerous flowers are small and yellow. The fruits are blue-black, oval, 1 cm long, and ripen in late summer.
Natural occurrence
Countries of origin and distribution
Eastern North America, straddling Canada and the United States.
Habitat and ecology
It prefers sandy, moist, well-drained soils, but tolerates a wide variety of substrates. It does not tolerate prolonged flooding. It is commonly found in open woodlands, along fences, and in fields.
Uses
Application areas
It is used for poles, staves, boats, furniture and carpentry in general.
Technical data
Aesthetic characteristics
Grain
Obvious
Texture
Coarse
Physical and mechanical properties
Density
ρ
ρ
495
kg/m3
Radial shrinkage
Rad. sh.
Rad. sh.
4
MPa
Tangential shrinkage
Tang. sh.
Tang. sh.
62
MPa
Bending strength
M.O.R.
M.O.R.
62
MPa
Modulus of Elasticity
M.O.E.
M.O.E.
7720
MPa
Durability characteristics
Fungal resistance
Durable
Insect resistance
Resistant
Miscellaneous
All parts of the plant are more or less aromatic. The root bark provides sassafras oil, used to perfume or flavor various products. Young roots are also sold locally to make sassafras tea, a beverage believed to have tonic and medicinal properties.