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- Q.I Planted A Bare Root Dormant Sassafras Tree In Early May. When It Arrived I Immediately Put In In Water And The Next Day Planted - it. I used sterile garden topsoil. I have kept it watered but not soaking it. Some of the branches have ...
- Q.How Do You Differentiate Male And Female Sassafras Trees? - I would like to purchase sassafras trees to provide food for wildlife so I will need to insure I get ...
- Q.Why Would One Of Our Established Sassafras Trees Not Be Leafing Out By Late April (zone 7b)? - We have 6 well established sassafras trees on our property. These trees are all 30-40ft tall. It’s late April & ...
Asked by
Anonymous on
August 9, 2023Q.I Planted A Bare Root Dormant Sassafras Tree In Early May. When It Arrived I Immediately Put In In Water And The Next Day Planted
it. I used sterile garden topsoil. I have kept it watered but not soaking it. Some of the branches have died back and it never lea fed out. It is now August and the trunk is as green as the day I planted it. I have been told that these trees may remain dormant all summer and leaf out the next spring. Any truth to this? I planted a bare root dormant sassafras tree in early may. When it arrived I immediately put in in water and the next day planted it. I used sterile garden topsoil. I have kept it watered but not soaking it. Some of the branches have died back and it never leafed out. It is now August and the trunk is as green as the day I planted it. I have been told that these trees may remain dormant all summer and leaf out the next spring. Any truth to this?
Answered by
GKH_Susan on
August 13, 2023
Certified ExpertA.Did you incorporate the garden soil into the planting hole or is it in a container? These trees have a long tap root so they should be in the ground. Is it in full or part sun? A lack of light could retard leafing out. I suggest checking with the seller as to why this tree is not growing. It should have leafed out. And the twig dieback is not a good sign. Most garden centers and nurseries offer a year's guarantee on their trees.
I didn't find any source that said they were slow growers or could remain dormant through the summer.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/sassafras/what-is-a-sassafras-tree.htm
https://forestry.ca.uky.edu/laurel-wilt
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/tree-leafing-problems.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/tree-scratch-test.htm
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- Asked by
Marc LaComb on
February 3, 2024
Southington, Ct 06489Q.How Do You Differentiate Male And Female Sassafras Trees?
I would like to purchase sassafras trees to provide food for wildlife so I will need to insure I get male and female trees.
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
February 5, 2024
Certified ExpertA.You will not be able to tell unless it is flowering. In this case, the male flower will be a little bigger and more full, containing pollen bearing stamens. The female will have smaller flowers, and a single stigma in the center. Outside of this, the female will bear fruit after flowering.
You can check around your area to see if your local nurseries have any, and if they separate them by male and female.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/sassafras/what-is-a-sassafras-tree.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
NashSD5 on
April 24, 2024
37087Q.Why Would One Of Our Established Sassafras Trees Not Be Leafing Out By Late April (zone 7b)?
We have 6 well established sassafras trees on our property. These trees are all 30-40ft tall. It’s late April & we’ve had some very warm spring weather here in middle TN, but 1 one of the 6 sass trees still looks as it did in the dead of winter. Even the one struck by lightning last year is coming in nicely. Can I do anything to encourage the slacker? How can I determine its status? It’s near our house & a massive tree so I’d like to know if its alive (had no visible issues last summer/ fall) or just very late this year (is that a known thing that occurs with some)? *Last 2 photos are other sass trees on property that are beginning to leaf- including the one struck by lightning.
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
April 25, 2024
Certified ExpertA.This is quite strange, but sometimes trees can die suddenly. This can be due to it's "immune system" failing due to disease or pests. Sometimes small insects that aren't very visible can cause issues, as well. I would try to do a scratch test. You will want to scratch one of the branches if you can reach them. You can see a little better if it is alive or dead.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/tree-scratch-test.htm
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