March 31, 2026
In bloom now in the woods, Sassafras (Sassafras albidum). A delightfully fragrant tree in all its parts, roots, bark, leaves, and twigs.
These blooms will create drupes which are small, egg-shaped, shiny, blue-black berries with brilliant red stalks, or pedicels. Maturing in late summer.
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February 3, 2026
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum). A tree I often see up here and usually recognize right away, even in winter. Easy to spot because of the contorted or twisted nature of its trunk. Another simple clue for identification is the bark.
If only figuring out the identity of all trees were this dependable.
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November 7, 2025
Like countless trees up here, Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) is showing off with a visual statement of dazzling color.
The Sassafras is scented throughout all its parts; leaves, flowers, roots, bark, drupes, and wood. Having the scent of citrus, star anise, cinnamon, licorice, and citrus.
Certainly one of my favorite trees.
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October 10, 2025
Oh October! The month of COLOR! Here, Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) is just beginning to celebrate. A fragrant tree, in all its parts, that grows to 30 – 60 feet tall with trunks that are 1 – 2 feet across, and sometimes larger. With gray-brown, deeply ridged and furrowed bark on older trees. If you cut into that bark it has a pronounced brown-orange color beneath the gray-brown surface, and of course, there is that fragrance. Lovely.
Autumn is just beginning to be evident up here. It is at the point of, “Oh, look at that tree.” — rather than, “Oh, look at all the color!” Sassafras leaves turn to yellow, orange, red, and even purple. This particular tree is showing its color early and will be developing even richer hues as the season develops.
I adore brilliant colors. This season is pure joy for me.
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May 6, 2025
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) in bloom just a few days ago. Trees that I’ve learned a great many things about since I’ve lived up here on my mountain. First off, I was amazed to learn that they grow into very large trees.
Growing up with woods just behind my house I was familiar with small Sasssafras saplings with their wonderful fragrance. I’ve been surprised to find out that Sassafras trees grow to be quite large trees, growing to 60 feet tall and sometimes even taller. And a trunk up to 24 inches in diameter.
Many surprises as I became quite familiar with this tree which seemed to be so different from the saplings I knew as a child. Another, the fruit, dark blue-black drupes measuring in at about 1/3 inch in length. I sure didn’t know about these!
So much to learn about nature. I’ll be busy learning for years and years. And if I were a tree surely it would be a Sassafras.
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