A magnificent Sassafras tree graces the back yard of the historic Wolfe House near the trailhead parking lot at the end of Wolfe Neck Road. It’s twice the height of most of the Sassafras trees I see in Cape Henlopen State Park. Its gnarly branches beg for a full moon behind scudding clouds on a cool fall night when witches begin to fly.
The roots of Sassafras smell like root beer and Sassafras tea made from those roots is one of the many legacies we’ve received from our Native American ancestors. Sassafras trees are easy to identify when they’re in leaf because they’re the only tree I know with three different shaped leaves: a single-lobed leaf, a double-lobed leaf that looks like a mitten; and a triple-lobed leaf with two smaller lobes flanking a large center lobe. For me, they’re a beautiful, four-season tree and the one at the Wolfe House is the finest specimen I have ever seen.
Not 50 yards from the Wolfe House Sassafras is one of the largest persimmon trees I’ve ever seen. Check it out in the fall when it will be fruiting. Just remember, a persimmon ain’t ripe until it hits the ground.
I think it’s time to head out in search of Delaware’s champion trees again. It’s been a few decades.
Stay tuned. In the mean time, check out the big Sassafras at the Wolfe House. Between it and the persimmon, we have a good start on a rural arboretum. And, between the fruit of the persimmon and roots of Sassafras offspring, the makings of a special herbal tea blend.
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Dennis Forney has been a journalist on the Delmarva Peninsula since 1972 and has been writing his Barefootin’ column for The Whale and then the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years. Like his Barefootin' Facebook page to get notified of blog updates.
