Family: Lauraceae
Latin Name: Sassafras albidum.
Origin: Eastern United States.
Common Names: Sassafras, White Sassafras, Silky Sassafras, Fennel Wood.
The Tree (characteristics): The Sassafras tree can grow to heights ranging from 35 to 50 feet tall with a trunk that is 2 to 3 feet in diameter. It is a deciduous tree with horizontal branching in cloud-like tiers. The bark is deeply furrowed and mahogany-brown in color. The leaves are bright green with three-lobed leaves that have outstanding color in the Fall. Sassafras is well-known as an aromatic species.
Appearance of Wood: Sassafras has a coarse texture with generally straight grains. Heartwood color ranges from light to medium brown with an olive or orange hue at times. The color of the wood will darken with age. The sapwood tends to be a more pale-yellow color although at times it not clearly defined from the heartwood.
Density: Sassafras wood is very durable and high in shock resistance. Average reported specific gravity ranges .42 to .50 with an average dried weight of 31 pounds per cubic foot. Janka Hardness is 630 pounds of force.
Dry and Shrinkage: Sassafras wood is dimensionally stable once it is dry. The wood can be dried using a moderate kiln schedule. Average reported shrinkage values are 4.0% radial, 6.2% tangential, 10.3% volumetric.
Working Properties: Sassafras is easy to work with both hand and machine tools. It will glue nicely, stain, and finish well. The wood has good dimensional stability once the wood itself is dry.
Durability: Sassafras is reported to have good resistance to wood decay. In general, Sassafras is considered a durable wood.
Uses: Sassafras can be used for furniture, utility lumber, boatbuilding, turning, windows, doors, and door frames.
Availability: Limited quantities of lumber and turning blanks are available however, the wood is not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.