Trees That Attract Birds Bees Butterflied Post 5

Here is the scoop for another tree loved by birds, butterflies and moths..                                                                                            Like so many spring  flowers,  Sassafras blossoms are yellow, which just happens to be my favorite color.

SASSAFRAS  (S. albium)

The clusters of tiny yellow flowers on sassafras trees light up woodland edges and native landscapes in early spring.  Sassafras is native to North America.  Sassafras is an excellent tree for attracting birds because of the high fat content of its fruit, which turns from green to dark purple in late summer; the fruit is consumed quickly and eagerly by resident and migrating birds. An additional bonus is that Sassafras is a host plant for the larvae of spicebush swallowtail butterfly and other butter flies and moths. Sassafras trees have a willowy habit and grow quite tall, 30 to 60 feet, in sun or shade.  Their leaves are rounded and mitten shaped, and turn brilliant scarlet or orange in early fall.  They are difficult to transplant; start with seedlings or look for small specimens at garden shops.  Hardy in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 4 to 9.