Sassafras
3
5
5Will it grow where I live?
Sassafras is hardy to zone 4 – that covers all of Central Europe and the British Isles, and every USDA zone from 4 upwards.
Or check it for your location right here:
Profile
- Family
- Lauraceae
- Habit
- Tree
- Height
- 20 m
- Spread
- 12 m
- Growth
- medium
- Lifespan
- 100 years
- First yield
- after 10 years
- Hardiness
- zone 4–9
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Soil
- Sand, Silt
- Soil moisture
- dry – very moist
- pH
- 5 – 7
Flowering & harvest
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flowering | ||||||||||||
| Leaf harvest |
Uses
Growing
Aromatic woodland-edge tree for fresh, well-drained, rather acidic soil in sun to partial shade. Root and bark contain carcinogenic safrole; only the leaves are safe to use as a seasoning.
⚠️ Hazards
Toxicity: toxic
Frequently asked questions
Sassafras: how big does it get?
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) grows as a Tree and reaches roughly 20 m in height when mature, with a spread of about 12 m. Growth is medium.
Sassafras: what site does it need?
Sassafras tolerates light shade. Suitable soils are Sand, Silt. Soil moisture should be in the range dry – very moist. The pH may lie between 5 and 7.
Sassafras: is it hardy?
Sassafras is listed as hardy in zone 4–9 and survives normal winters outdoors there.
Sassafras: will it grow in Central Europe?
Sassafras is hardy to zone 4 – that covers all of Central Europe and the British Isles, and every USDA zone from 4 upwards.
Sassafras: when does it flower?
In a temperate northern-hemisphere climate it flowers from May to June.
Sassafras: is it poisonous?
Sassafras is classified as toxic. With wild plants, never rely on a database alone — only on a confident identification.
Sassafras: what is it used for?
Rated on a scale up to 10: Edible 3/10, Medicinal 5/10, Other uses 5/10.
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Community experience
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