Collection: Sassafras Slabs

Common names: sassafras, common sassafras, cinnamon wood, red sassafras, golden elm, aguetree

Short Description: Several species of sassafras are used in the lumber industry. One of the most common is Sassafras albidum, which can grow from 50 to 65 ft tall and have a trunk diameter of 2 to 3 feet. When cut, sassafras emits a root beer-like scent.

Country of Origin: native to eastern Asia and eastern North America

Color: light to medium brown heartwood with occasional orange or olive shade; pale yellowish brown sapwood

Janka Scale Hardness: 630 lb f (2800 N)

Dried Average Weight: 31 lbs/ft 3 (495 kg/m 3 )

Common Uses: furniture, boxes/crates, fence posts, shipbuilding, utility lumber, small woodworking projects, paneling, millwork

 

What Is Sassafras?

Sassafras has four species in total, but one is already extinct. Sassafras trees grow in open woods and fields. They thrive best in moist, well-drained, sandy loam soils. All plant parts have a pleasant aroma, especially when freshly cut.

 

The species S. albidum is the primary ingredient in making root beer. Sassafras contributes to many culinary uses as well as traditional medicine.

 

Sassafras live edge slabs are incredibly durable. While its heartwood is decay-resistant, the sapwood is prone to powderpost beetle attacks.

 

Where Is Sassafras Sourced?

East Asia has two species: Sassafras tzumu and Sassafras randaiense. North America has only one species left: Sassafras albidum, or simply sassafras. Fossils of the extinct Sassafras Hesperia were found in Washington and British Columbia.

Sassafras is also cultivated in some parts of Europe.

 

How to Distinguish Sassafras

The first thing people notice from freshly cut sassafras live edge slab is its root-beer-like scent. Even as a standing tree, sassafras already emits this scent. You can distinguish sassafras from other wood through the color of its heartwood and sapwood.

 

Sassafras resembles chestnut and black ash, making it a good substitute for both kinds of wood.

 

Is Sassafras a Good Option for Outdoor Furniture?

Sassafras can be made into outdoor furniture. As it is rot and shock-resistant, sassafras can be used in many outdoor applications such as fencing, benches, and picnic tables. It is also used in shipbuilding due to its superb qualities that can withstand elements including water and air. It is easy to work with using hand and machine tools and responds to glues, stains, and finishes.

 

FAQs

Is sassafras hardwood or softwood?

Sassafras is a deciduous tree, meaning they lose their leaves at some point in the year. Thus, the genus is considered a hardwood.

 

Is sassafras safe?

Sassafras is likely safe for external applications. However, its oil contains safrole, an organic compound known for its carcinogenic effect. Foods and beverages containing sassafras are processed to remove safrole from their components.

 

Does sassafras cause allergies?

Sassafras allergy may be rare, but it does happen. The wood is labeled a sensitizer, which means that the more a person is exposed to its fine particles, the more that individual becomes susceptible to sensitivities. Common allergic reactions include respiratory symptoms and feeling nauseous.

 

How expensive is sassafras?

Despite their scarcity, you can purchase sassafras at a reasonable price. It is also way cheaper than ash and oak.

 

What to look for when buying Sassafras?

Sassafras bark gets molds easily. So, make sure you buy a properly dried piece of sassafras live edge to prevent mold from growing.

 

Where to Buy Sassafras

Sassafras wood gives gorgeous and striking aesthetics to any furniture. While the wood isn’t widely available in the market, you can still get your hands on it through specialty dealers like Alderfer Lumber Company Inc.

 

We have all kinds of wood slabs in our inventory, from common wood to rare pieces. All our slabs are sustainably sourced and processed carefully to ensure that they are dried well to last for decades.

 

To check our available sassafras slabs, click here. If you can’t find what you are looking for, don’t hesitate to contact us so we can check our inventory to see more availability.