SASSAFRAS AND SUMAC
Sassafras and staghorn sumac are small, successional trees, native to sunny habitats in northeastern North America, including rural roadsides, pastures and woodland edges in farmland. Both these kinds of trees are attractive, and provide food and cover for certain species of wildlife. And both types of these trees have interesting life histories. Sassafras and sumacs are most attractive in autumn when their leaves turn to warm, striking colors. Sassafras foliage turns yellow, orange and red, while the leaves of sumacs become brilliant-red, all by October. Both trees then beautify country roadsides and other sunny, let-go niches in cropland. Sassafras trees are exceptionally interesting. Each tree has three leaf shapes, with three lobes like a wide-tonged fork, two lobes resembling mittens, and one simple lobe. And sassafras foliage and green twigs emit...