ID please with leaves

[Babaganoosh]

I've got this tree in my yard. It's next to a maple. It's about 16 inches in diameter and 40 feet tall.

I'm about 4 miles inland from the ocean in central Jersey.

Leaves




Bark/trunk

 

[Babaganoosh]

I don't think so. The leaves are not exactly opposite each other and occasionally there's leaves with that "thumb" on them.

 

[Pellet_Pete]

Sassafras. The "thumb" leaves is a good clue. Break the twig - does it smell like froot loops?

 

[claydogg84]

I think Pete has it - I've got zero experience with sass.

 

[Babaganoosh]

My sister has sassafras in her yard. The bark is totally different. It's got more defined ridges and a lot thicker.

 

[claydogg84]

My sister has sassafras in her yard. The bark is totally different. It's got more defined ridges and a lot thicker.

Her tree is 100% sass? I googled sass bark & leaves, and it's identical to what you have.

 

[Babaganoosh]

Twig has a lemony pine scent to it

 

[Babaganoosh]

Her tree is 100% sass? I googled sass bark & leaves, and it's identical to what you have.

Yeah the leaves are pretty damn close but I've cut and burned a few of her trees..the bark is a lot thicker. I'll try to get some more pics tomorrow.

 

[Babaganoosh]

Googled the leaves. It's gotta be it huh. I haven't seen the 3 pronged leaves but the other two are exactly it.

 

[Oldman47]

Sass has left or right thumbs and also comes as a 3 lobe(2 thumbs) or a simple leaf. It would be my first guess for those leaves.

 

[CountryBoy19]

Sass has left or right thumbs and also comes as a 3 lobe(2 thumbs) or a simple leaf. It would be my first guess for those leaves.

This ^^^ The only other tree that demonstrates this characteristic is Mulberry and it has a toothed leaf margin (edge) whereas Sassafras has a smooth leaf margin. If you have simple, 3-lobed, and 2-lobed leaves with a smooth leaf-margin you have sassafras.

 

[Woody Stover]

In the bark pic, I see an abraded area that looks rust-colored; If you cut away the top layer of some bark with a knife, and see red-orange, I'd say Sass would be a good bet.

 

[Hickorynut]

I vote sassafras, especially the bark, from someone who has a ton of them on his 3 acres.......

 

[leonardo]

sassafras. don't know what you're plans are for this tree down the road. however, sass can make beautiful lumber. have had several sawn and the wood can reveal beautiful grain patterns and colors including olive, red, tan and more.

 

[Babaganoosh]

No plans for it really. It's not near the house so I'm not worried.

 

[Wood Duck]

Sassafras.

 

[Applesister]

If its a healthy tree Id leave it. Not much BTUs available in it. Let it live.