We are blessed to enjoy some of the best fall color anywhere. The parade of colors is courtesy of our wide variety of mixed hardwood forests that are joined by wonderful fall wildflowers and mature grasslands. They put our region among the best places to enjoy not just great fall color, but rich colors that persist over a period of weeks.
This year’s parade is already well underway.
The opening days of the season are dominated by sassafras, a smaller distinctively gnarled tree that loves establishing itself along woodland edges. Though in some local areas the color may be muted by the effects of our extended drought, sassafras can glow in a mosaic of colors that can include bright yellows and oranges, scarlet, even burgundy and purple.
Sassafras is especially common in the Oak Openings Region, notably Oak Openings Preserve Metropark along Girdham Road. One of the most obvious stands of sassafras is along the west side of I-475, north of Airport Highway.
Even if you haven’t noticed the tree itself, there’s a reasonably good chance you’ve tasted it. It’s the source of the root in root beer. Maybe you’ve been served sassafras tea, or maybe you’ve used fiÍe powder to thicken your gumbo. That powder is ground sassafras leaves.
As good as it is to taste, it’s even better visually, and not just or fall colors.
The tree has the unique distinction of having three distinctly different leaf forms. One is a simple unlobed leaf. Another is mitten-shaped. The third form is two-lobed and said to resemble a trident.
Especially this time of year, we think a better name for that third form is the ghost leaf. Check out the photo and see for yourself. It’s why children often call sassafras the ghost tree.
