The Sassafras tree, Sassafrax variifolium, also known as the Sassafrac, Saxifrac, Smelling Stick, Aguetree, and Cinnamonwood tree. This widespread Eastern U.S. native is ideal for naturalistic landscaping. Sassafras is a native tree, growing in rich woods from southern Maine to Ontario, Michigan, and Kansas and south to Florida and Texas. The sassafras occurs in the North as a shrub, but in the Southern States it sometimes attains a height of 100 feet. This deciduous tree has leaves that are shaped like a mitten.
The yellowish green, fragrant flowers are borne in clusters which appear in early spring. The fruit, which ripens in September, is about the size of a pea. All parts of the tree are aromatic. The bark of the root, which is in reasonably constant demand is collected in spring or autumn. The production of sassafras oil by distillation of the root and root bark is a small industry in the southeastern section of the country. Leaves are a medium green and turn orange, red, or yellow in fall.