Life History & Disturbance Response of Sassafras albidum sassafras

Family: Lauraceae
Guild: opportunistic, dispersal limited (sprout dependent)
Functional Lifeform: small to medium-size deciduous tree
Ecological Role: scattered trees occur in many mesic and dry-mesic forests types; colonizes open, disturbed sites and may exist as small clones on old fields and along forest margins and fence rows; somewhat tolerant as a seedling, but rarely survives if overtopped
Lifespan, yrs (typical/max): 100/500
Shade Tolerance: intolerant
Height, m: 6-15
Canopy Tree: yes
Pollination Agent: insects
Seeding, yrs (begins/optimal/declines): 10/25/50
Mast Frequency, yrs: 1-2
New Cohorts Source: seeds or sprouts
Flowering Dates: early spring
Flowers/Cones Damaged by Frost: yes
Seedfall Begins: summer
Seed Banking: 1 yr +
Cold Stratification Required: yes
Seed Type/Dispersal Distance/Agent: drupe/ variable/ gravity, birds
Season of Germination: spring
Seedling Rooting System: shallow
Sprouting: common, root sprouts form dense thickets
Establishment Seedbed Preferences
Substrate: moist loam with litter cover
Light: open areas only
Moisture: moist required
Temperature: neutral
Disturbance response:
Fire: Sassafras increases in density on disturbed sites and is opportunistic with respect to fire. Moderate- to high-intensity fires promote higher densities of sassafras compared to low-intensity fires by creating an open forest structure that provides the open light conditions sassafras seeds require for germination. Such fires occur at intervals of at least 5 or more years. Annual burning may eliminate sassafras from the stand; decades of fire suppression also result in the elimination of sassafras. Sassafras is moderately resistant to damage and topkill from low-intensity fires and sprouts vigorously from the root crown or from root suckers, even after more than one fire. Although larger trees are more resistant to topkill, they are susceptible to injury and subsequent entry of decay organisms. Season of burning does not affect susceptibility to damage and topkill. Seedling establishment may occur from seeds of surviving trees onsite or from offsite seeds carried by birds. Frequent prescribed fire can improve spring and summer forage quality for wildlife in the southern Pinus forests, where sassafras often occurs.
Air pollution: Symptoms of foliar injury have been noted on sassafras in some areas of high ambient ozone (extremely sensitive), but not in others.