The first colors of fall are among the very best, with deep colors of sumac, black gum and Virginia creeper. Check out the bright color of poison ivy–yes, poison ivy. They are all making their appearance right now.
The star of the early show is sassafras. It would be a surprise not to notice it at area parks. “If you think you haven’t, just think about that stretch of trees along the west side of I-475 between Dorr Street and Airport Highway,” said Art Weber, Metroparks nature photographer.
For a week or so during most Septembers, there’s a stretch of medium-sized trees glowing spectacularly in oranges, reds and yellows. That’s sassafras–the same sassafras that puts the root in root beer. That mandatory seasoning used to flavor and thicken gumbo is really a fine powder of finely ground sassafras leaves.
Children, and often adults, are surprised to discover that every sassafras tree has three distinctively different leaves. The simplest form is oval-shaped like a spoon. Another has a second lobe that makes the leaf appear like a mitten.
“The third is a real crowd pleaser, especially as Halloween approaches. It has three lobes and looks like a ghost,” Mr. Weber said.
Everything about this tree is cool. The tree trunks are gnarled with deeply furrowed bark that shows a deep red where broken. “Pick a leaf and scrape the stem, you’ll easily detect a lemony smell. If you use the wood for firewood, the exposed wood will be a deep reddish brown.”
Sassafras is a common tree seldom more than 50 feet tall, often seen in Metroparks and at Oak Openings. It can be found along woodland edges. “You can’t miss it,” he added.
