Wonderful rootbeer scent in all parts of the tree. Mitten-shaped leaves (traditionally used to make file powder, the thickener in Cajun gumbos), spring-green buds, tiny but noticeable pretty yellow flowers, distinctive striated green and orange bark on younger trees.
In the fall, brilliant yellow, orange and red leaves with unique and beautiful fruits: navy blue oval pearls held atop red stalks.
Sassafras trees are dioecious and attract spicebush and zebra swallowtail butterflies, bluebirds, robins and catbirds.
