Sassafras albidum has a much softer wood than dogwood and is essentially useless for tool or cabinet making. But this beautiful tree is redeemed by the marvelous fragrance emitted by all its parts. This was one of the first trees I learned to recognize as a child because of its remarkable leaf form. Leaves come in three types: oval, mitten-shaped, and mitten-shaped with two thumbs!
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I had a college professor who took us on nature hikes in the woods. "If you need to relieve yourself," she said, "do it near a sassafras tree: the leaves can be your scented toilet paper!"
(Not that that's the most respectful thing to do with such lovely leaves, however...)
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