So many sassafras trees - Ask Extension
In the last 5 years or so, there has been a tremendous number of sassafras trees growing in my yard. Are they invasive? Should I cut them down?
Knowledgebase
So many sassafras trees #920418
Asked October 22, 2025, 10:31 AM EDT
In the last 5 years or so, there has been a tremendous number of sassafras trees growing in my yard. Are they invasive? Should I cut them down?
Anne Arundel County Maryland
Expert Response
Sassafras (botanical name Sassafras albidum) is a native tree. Ecologically, it's a pioneer species, which means that it can rapidly colonize a cleared or disturbed area by means of birds (which eat its berries) dispersing the seed. They can also sucker abundantly if cut down, when new sprouts arise from the roots left behind. The spring blooms (when a sapling is old enough to start flowering) are valuable for pollinators, and the leaves are a food source for Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillars. Any unwanted trees can either be cut down while they are still small, or (if young enough, and seedlings and not suckers, which don't transplant well) dug up to give away to interested area native plant gardeners.
Miri
Miri
Thanks for the info.
Gloria
You're welcome.
