Sassafras

SPECIFIC GRAVITY:   0.42

DENSITY:   28 lbs./cu.ft.

TANGENTIAL MOVEMENT:   6.20%

RADIAL MOVEMENT:   4.00%

VOLUMETRIC SHRINKAGE:   10.30%

DURABILITY:   Very good

SOURCE:   Eastern half of the U.S.

DESCRIPTION:   Fairly soft, with long and rather stringy fibers. Light weight, coarse texture, but rather straight grain; Figure resembles ash and chestnut. Color is light brown or tan, sometimes with yellow-green cast; sapwood creamy white. Pleasant spicy scent. Easily machined, but brittle. Splits easily. Grain may lift in hand tool operations. Used in boat building, for wall paneling and drawer parts, because of its excellent stability.