09.11.07 SASSAFRAS

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!

09.10.07 "DAGWOOD"

The berries on the dogwood tree, Cornus florida, have turned a beautiful red and will add color to the forest long into the winter. Wikipedia reports that this tree is called "dogwood" as a corruption of "dagwood" or "daggerwood." Dogwood has a good hard wood which was once used to make daggers as well as all types of wooden tools and handles.