Sassafras albidum
Owner: Charlotte Browne Boerkamp
Nominator: Charlotte Browne Boerkamp
Height: 20 m (66 ft)
Diameter: 87.58 cm (34.5 in)
Circumference: 275 cm (108.3 in)
Description
The Sassafras is native to eastern North America, from southern Maine and southern Ontario, west to Iowa, south to central Florida and eastern Texas. It is a medium-sized deciduous tree growing 15-20 m tall. The bark on mature trees is thick, dark red-brown, and deeply furrowed. Its leaves come in three different shapes, all of which can be found on the same branch; entire, mitten-shaped, and three-lobed. It prefers rich, well-drained sandy loam, but will grow in any loose, moist soil. Seedlings tolerate shade, but saplings and older trees demand full sunlight for good growth. In forests it can often be found along borders or in openings created by windfall or harvesting. The leaves and bark release an aromatic scent when crushed. AN essential oil, called sassafras oil, is distilled from the root bark or the fruit. It was used as a fragrance in perfumes and soaps, and for aromatherapy. (Source: Wikipedia )
Sassafras leaves 
(Source: Wikipedia )