Hi Folks,
I have a beautiful sassafras tree in my garden here in norther Massachusetts. I found two seedlings that must have come from my tree. They were thriving until the deer decided to snack and cropped them down to the ground (ARGHHHHHH!)
I would love to propagate this tree but have never seen seeds. If anyone has insight into propagating this tree it would be greatly appreciated. I know cutting from trees can be difficult.
Thank You,

Glenn

If the seedlings were 2ft or more high, it's likely they will resprout from the ground next season. Animals do love sassafras, rabbits, too, and especially in the fall and winter.

Often what looks like a seedling is actually a sprout coming from the original tree's roots = root sprout or a sucker.

Commonly, you can start new plants from root cuttings, but it's too late to try now. It's usually done very very early in the season when the ground fully thaws. Half to one inch thick roots, cut 3-5 inches long. You could also sever some of the tree's roots in the ground and leave them right there and they might sprout. A caution here is that you might end up with a lot more unwanted sprouting. (The same thing can happen with severe pruning of top growth.)

Thanks Rick,

The saplings were quite a distance, but roots do travel. Season is coming to an end here so I'll take your advice and try some root propagation in the spring. I'll also do some research so I know (or at least sort of know) what I"m doing.

Take Care
Glenn

Sassafras fruit.


They don't produce fruit often, but it happens.
I do best with root suckers.
They're not that easy to transplant successfully; they're about like transplanting pawpaw root suckers.

Autumn colour from 2016