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Re: Sassafras

In a message dated 98-09-01 11:34:29 EDT, you write:

<< I agree with you that it is wonderful to have this tree present.  Are they
 becoming rare?
  >>

Well, no, I would not say they are rare, just not as abundant as they once
were here.  Sassafras is a pioneer species on abandoned farmland and does give
way, naturally, to other species in time.  In areas where there is lots of
recently abandoned farmland, I would guess it is still common.

I am writing from St. Louis, Missouri, called the "Gateway to the West"
because its
once abundant forests fueled westward expansion.  Hoards of settlers stopped
here to take advantage of their last chance to stock up on wood before they
hit the prairies to our west.  Steamboats on the Missouri and Mississippi
Rivers did the same.  Remaining trees were were cut by the railroads as they,
too, pushed west.  

Sassafras was probably among the first trees to grow back, but the popularity
of its bark for making tea, scenting soaps and flavoring medicines, and the
use of its wood for fence posts and boats caused much of it to continue to be
cut from our forests.  It has survived, I think, because birds love to eat its
berries and thus spread the seeds along with their own little supply of
fertilizer.  (Mother Nature is sooo clever.)  

Sorry.  Get me started on one of my favorite native trees and the next thing
you know you have a natural history lesson.  

Back to the point:  Sassafras is rare at nursery and garden centers around
here.  That is understandable as it has a long taproot and is difficult to
transplant.  I wonder why growers haven't started growing it in containers.
With its charm and wonderful fall color, it would not be difficult to market. 

One last thought that just occured to me about your leaf form.  Sassafras
leaves are frequently unlobed on the basal portions of the tree, with more
lobed leaves in the upper branches.  Could it be that you are noticing the
leaves from the lower branches you cut when you limbed them up, and have not
checked the upper branches?  How old are your trees?  Lobed leaves are also
more common on younger trees, while entire leaves predominate on older, mature
trees.  

--Janis
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