Species guide

American sassafras

Latin name

Sassafras albidum

Other Common names

Golden elm

Distribution

Eastern USA.

General Description

Sassafras heartwood is pale brown to orange brown, resembling ash or chestnut. The narrow sapwood is yellowish white. The wood has a coarse texture and is generally straight grained. Well known as an aromatic species.

Working Properties

Sassafras is easily worked and takes a finish well. It glues well and holds screws better than it nails, where pre-boring may be necessary to avoid splitting. It requires care in drying as it has a tendency to check with small movement in performance.

Physical Properties

Medium strength in all categories except stiffness which is low. Suitable for steam bending.

Durability

Sassafras is very resistant to heartwood decay, in exposed damp conditions. The sapwood is liable to attack by powder post beetle. The heartwood is moderately resistant to preservative treatment but the sapwood is permeable.

Availability

USA:
Limited as lumber and veneer.

Export:
Lumber extremely limited, veneer more available.

Main Uses

Furniture, interior and exterior joinery, windows, doors and door frames and kitchen cabinets.

Grading

Technical statistics

Specific Gravity (12% M.C.):	0.46
Average Weight (12% M.C.):	497 kg/m3
Average Volume Shrinkage (Green to 6% M.C.):	8.20%
Modulus of Elasticity:	7722 MPa
Hardness:	2802 N