Seed Production and Dissemination Seed production begins when trees approach 10 years of age and is greatest when trees are 25 to 50 years old. Birds are principal agents of seed dissemination, with water a secondary agent. Some seeds probably are distributed by small mammals. Seedling Development Sassafras seed usually remains dormant until spring, although some early maturing seed may germinate in fall. The best seedbed is a moist, rich, loamy soil with a protective cover of leaves and litter.
Germination is hypogeal.
Sassafras is intolerant of shade and reproduction is sparse and erratic in wooded areas. Subsequent reproduction is usually vegetative. The dense thickets often found in woods openings or in old fields develop from root sprouts rather than seed. Elsewhere growth is slow. Because sassafras grows in dense stands and sprouts prolifically, it is a difficult cover type to convert to pine or more desirable hardwoods.