Sassafras
Sassafras albidum
Hardness
On the soft side; easy to work, but marks with hard use.
Overview
Light, soft, and aromatic, resembling a lightweight ash or chestnut, with good decay resistance. The spicy root-beer scent is unmistakable. An underused outdoor wood.
Commonly built
- Outdoor furniture
- Boats
- Cabinets
- Buckets
Appearance
Dull grayish-brown to golden-brown heartwood with a coarse, ring-porous grain much like ash or chestnut; pale sapwood.
Recommended uses
Uses to avoid
Similar species
Comparable on hardness, type, and workability, useful when this species isn't available.
Working notes
Soft and easy to work despite the coarse grain. Distinctly aromatic. Good decay resistance and dimensionally stable, suitable for outdoor and boat use. Glues and finishes well.
Wood movement
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn sassafras panel moves roughly 0.34 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content). Use the wood movement calculator to run your own board size and moisture range.
How much does Sassafras move? → See flatsawn vs. quartersawn figures and a worked example.
Common questions
How hard is Sassafras?
Sassafras has a Janka hardness of 630 lbf, a measure of how well it resists denting and wear.
Is Sassafras suitable for outdoor use?
Sassafras stands up reasonably well outdoors, especially with a protective finish and regular maintenance.
How easy is Sassafras to work with?
Sassafras has Good workability for cutting, shaping, and joinery.
How much does Sassafras move seasonally?
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn sassafras panel moves roughly 0.34 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content).
Community photos
Real photos from woodworkers who've used sassafras, reviewed before they appear here.
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Wood data varies by source and sample. How we source and review our data.