Sassafras: good for drinking and sleeping

GASSAFRAS (Sassafras varii.f-olium) is probably better known for its medicinal properties than its use as a lumber or veneer. Although it is grown throughout the eastern United States, it is claimed that the only trees of commercial quality are found in the lower Mississippi Valley. A similar tree is found in China.

The first written record of the name appeared in accounts written by explorers in 1591. The name sassafras is thought to be Spanish, perhaps with an Indian origin. The Naragansett Indians living on the Long Island Sound called the tree sasauka-pamuch.

In the early days of the Colonies, sassafras was prized for the exporting of its roots and bark to be used in medicines as well as flavoring. Sassafras tea was considered an excellent tonic. Oil of sassafras, which was distilled from the root bark, was used to flavor candies and medicine as well as to perfume soap.

Along the Mississippi the large logs were used by settlers to make dug-out canoes. Because the wood is lightweight and resistant to water, it was ideal for this purpose. These qualities of remaining lieht and water tight still make sassafras wood useful in the manufacture of boat oars and small boats.

The size of the sassafras tree varies with the region in which it is grown. In the north, it remains small, almost a shrub. In Pennsylvania and farther south, the trees grow :rs high as 50 to 90 fe€t. Diameters of 4 to 7 feret are found in the warmer regions. North Carolina, Tennessee, Missouri and Arkansas all grow fine specimens.

Growth is rapid in the sassafras while it is young. After it has reached a diameter of 2 to 2V2 feet, growth slows down. The trees live for centuries. Records document trees having reached 700 to 1000 years in age.

The appearance of the tree, which is of the laurel family, is unique. It has a broad, flat unsymmetrical crown with limbs jutting out at right angles from the main trunk. Sassafras has three different leaf forms and sometimes all three are found growing on the same branch.

Often compared to both ash and chestnut in appearance, the wood is pale brown in color. It is lightweight and tends to be weak and brittle

Story at a Glance

Little commercial demand for sassafras. growth rate varies with region. comparable to chestnut & ash...still popular for teas, medicinal uses.

although it has excellent waterproof qualities and resists rot even when exposed to dampness. It has a coarse grain and is slightly aromatic. Airdried sassafras weighs from 3l to 32 pounds per cubic root. It tends to check during dryrng.

Sassafras 4/4 lumber weighs only 2,660 pounds per thousand feet, making it a very light hardwood. When compared to chestnut, it is higher in hardness, bending strength, compressive strength and shock resistance. It is lower in stiffness.

In addition to being used in boat building, sassafras wood is excellent for foundation posts, shutters and general millwork. Its durability in contact with the ground and excessive moisture is its main asset although it can be used in wall paneling, furniture, novelties, cooperage, fence posts and crating. Although rare, some sassafras boards have a curly grain and compare favorably with the most beautiful woods. Tea and other distillations are still popular uses.

Many amazing powers have been attributed to sassafras over the years. It was once thought that bedsteads made of the wood could protect the sleeper from night visitors who would intenupt his sleep. Other legends credited a bed made from sassafras wood with providing sound sleep.

Availability today is limited, mainly because of the lack of demand for both lumber and veneer.

Gtassified Aduertisements

Full product line responsibilities. Hardwood sales experience in So. Ca. territory required. Knowledge of alder market especially helpful. Immediate opening with competitive salary, year-end incentive plan, plus large company paid benefits. Write in confidence to Branch Manager, Weyerhaeuser Co., P.O. Box 487, Fontana, Ca. 92335.

WHOLESALE SOtr"TWOOD and plywood distributor needs experienced salesperson in So. Ca. area. Excellent compensation with unlimited growth potential. All resumes kept in strictest confidence. Write Box 5O3 c/o The Merchant Magazine.

wholesale lumber company, industrial accounts in So. Ca. area. Commission plan, benefits. Send resume to P.O. Box 2627, rise Forest Products). Expanding wholesale lumber firm with yards and milling facilities in So. Ca. is looking for experienced sales people. One is to call on industrial accounts. One to call on the independent lumber yards and home centers. We offer an excellent incentive compensation plan and benefits package. Replies held in confidence. Mail your resume to H.G.H. Lumber Sales, P.O. Box 2'17, Chino, Ca. 91710, or call (714) 591{.24/., Larry Holguin, for appointment.

Twenty-five (25) words for fl9. Each additional word 650. Phonc nunbcr counts as one word. Address counts as six words, Headlines and centcred copy ca. line: $5. Box numbers and special borders: $5 ea. Col. inch rate: t30. Namcs of advertiscrs using a box number cannot be releascd.'Address replies to box number shown in ad in carc of Thc Mcrchent Mrgrdnc, r(ll[ Crmpur Dr., Sultc 4tll, Ncwport Bcech; Ce. 91,6610. Make checks payable to Thc Mcrchut Mrgrdnc. Mail copy to ibove addrcss or call (714) 852-190. Deadline for copy is the 22nd of the month. PAYMEI\T MUST AO COMPANY COPY unless you have established ctedit with us.

TRADERfi

We are a new sales company that offers you the tools to be a success. We have mill production, remanufacturing, on-hand inventory and good financing. Commission with draw plus insurance. We have openings in both our So. Ca. office (contact) Dave Bufe Ql4) Al:70fl and at our Phoenix, Or. headquarters (contac0 Pat Reagan (503) 535-5541. Croman Forest Products.

plywood seeks experienced salesperson with good following for domestic plywood sales. Salary, commission, car allowance and benefits. North American Plywood Corporation 213-723-3319.

Immediate opening in San Pedro, Ca. Position will include waiting on customers, telephone inquiries, figuring lumber bids, extending invoices and sales backup. Please send resumes, in confidence, to LouisianaPacific Corp., P.O. Box 54017, Terminal Annex, Los Angeles, Ca. 90054. EOE M/F

TRUSS CO. MGR. WANTED 45-year-old co.'s truss division looking for mgr.-sales-estimator. Liberal benefits. Salary commensurate with experience. Write or call Jack Jackson, l8l8 Cortez Ave., Escondido, Ca. 92026 (619) 1

Our New Telephone Number:

The telephone company, for reasons known only to itself, has assigned us a new number. We regret the inconvenience to our readers and advertisers, but battling with the phone company is not a productive pursuit. Please make note of the new number for your records. It is:

Qt4) 8s2-r90

Lumber Yards & Home Centers (etc.)

AL CARLSON broker

"Al" specializes in the sale of lumber yards and home centers only. After 30 yeare in the lumber breiness he b able to prooide etpeience, discretion and confidentiality in all tranilctions,

CALIFORNIA: Small and profitable or buy fixed{\l EDY,Soi,ooo "skins price for ever-nning.

ALASKA: Beautiful Home Center, Truss Plant & Lumber Yard on 701/z acr.er.5/z million price is a bargain with reasonable terrns.

CENTRAT ARIZONA: Nice lumber yard with small home center. Has excellent profit history. Good location, good equipment and buildings. Terms to qualified buyer. Asking $500,000.

RESORT ARM; Modem Arme center, truss plant, & ltg1i{t{Lrl on main highway ft'J'l[lF*t-..rrntage on rear t5TA.l*"-Y*'H0"111,J"?"'!1"'il indzor in good working order. Good lease with room to expand.

CALIF. OCEAN BREEZES and no SMOG make this six acre lumber yard & home center extra special. Good mix of DIY and contractor business. Asking $3,300,000. Motivated owner will listen to creative offer,

CALIFORNIA MOUNIAIN CITY: Yery clean small yard with big DIY business and some contractor sales.

SO. CAUF. SMALL TOWN: lfar't:'re il:Jlt ffi'p%tio{HH; f".*. o*iDEAL }itu,om with Ez

COMING UP: Exclusive listings on a home cmter, truss plant and lumber yard in Arizona, two lumber yards in Colorado, one each in Utah and Indiana and two in Northem Califomia.

ADVERTISING Order Blank

CUSTOM DRY KTLN AND PLANING Eugene, Or. Approximately 3 acres close to airport. l98l appraisal $1,868,000. 2 office buildings, machine shop, lift trucks, total 45,000 square feet undercover storage with sprinkler system. New $650,000 wood waste system. Priced at $750,000. Contact Norman Perry, Tiee Products Co., P.O. Box 280, Lake Oswego, Or.97034.

EXPERIENCED lumber salesman seeks management position within industry. Highly motivated man with many years experience in hardwood, softwood panel products. Write Box 510 c/o The Merchant Magazine. TWISTED

Douglas Fir S4S and rough, 3x4 and wider and 4x4 and wider. Call Bill Hunter.

Hunter Woodworks. (213)

77 5-2544; (2 I 3) 83 5-5671.

"LOOKING AROUND" says Paul Bunyan

Paul does not rest on his fame as the lumberman's symbol of accomplishment. New requfuements and changing conditions keep him alet to progress.

LU]IIBER AND PLYW()(ID

AmericanHardwoodCo.....

Bur ns Lumber Co.

California Wholesale

Coos Head Lumber & Plywood

Dooley Foresl Co., Inc.

Ellinglon Wood Products

Essley & Son. D.C.

Founlain Lumber C0., Ed

FremontForeslProducts

Galleher Hardwood Co

Gemini Foresl Producls.

Georgia-PacilicCorp. (213) 968-5551

Heppner Hardwoods

Hill Lumber Co., Max

Hutl Lumber Co.

InlandTimberCo......

MacB€ath Hardwood

Maple Bros.. Inc. Mouldings osoood lnc.. Roberl S.

Marquarl-Wolte Lumber C0.

Pa;ilic Madison Lumbet Co. (213) 773-2292

Parr Lumber Co.

Penbenhy Lumber Co.

Pelerman Lumber Co.

Philips Lumber Sales

Producl Sales Co.

Reel Lumber Seruice.

Sanlord-Lussier

Simmons Hardwood Lumber Co.

South 8ay Foresl Products unitedwholesale LumberCo....

Stahl LumberCo.

Sumwmd. lnc....

Swanerllardwood Co.