Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) has a light tan colored sapwood and a medium brownish-tan colored heartwood. The wood is aromatic, closely resembling the aroma of root beer when being worked. The grain and color of sassafras very closely resembles chestnut, and is sometimes sold commercially as a substitute for the less frequently available chestnut. The wood is very easy to turn, with a moderate tendency to tear out.
Some other names (to add to the confusion) Black Ash, Golden Elm, Cinnamon Wood, Common Sassafras, File-Gumbo, Red Sassafras, Sassafrasso, Saxifrax, , Smelling-Stick, Wah-en-nah-kas, White Sassafras
Sassafras is native to North America from Maine through Ontario, Michigan, Indiana, Iowa, and Kansas, to Florida and Texas.
Turning a Sassafras bowl. Wood is green so it just a rough turn. Once it's dry it will be turn again to its final shape and finished which you can see above.
Some other names (to add to the confusion) Black Ash, Golden Elm, Cinnamon Wood, Common Sassafras, File-Gumbo, Red Sassafras, Sassafrasso, Saxifrax, , Smelling-Stick, Wah-en-nah-kas, White Sassafras
Sassafras is native to North America from Maine through Ontario, Michigan, Indiana, Iowa, and Kansas, to Florida and Texas.
Turning a Sassafras bowl. Wood is green so it just a rough turn. Once it's dry it will be turn again to its final shape and finished which you can see above.