Jesse shows how to spot sassafras trees by their three different leaf shapes, crushed-leaf scent, and red fall color. The tree feeds swallowtail caterpillars and birds, making it one of Charlotte's most distinctive natives.
Hi, Jesse here with the sassafras tree. Sassafras, fun to say, and the main ingredient for root beer back in the day. If you crush a leaf, you can smell it. The sassafras can confuse you because there are a few different leaf shapes. This one is shaped like a mitten, this one has 3 lobes, and this one is like an oval. In the fall, the leaves can turn a bright red and and there are flowers in the spring. The spicebush swallowtail caterpillar loves it, and the berries feed the birds. The sassafras tree, one of the most unique trees of Charlotte, the City of Trees.
