Sassafras Tree (Sassafras albidum)

        The roots, bark, and leaves of the sassafras have a spicy scent and the oils extracted from them have been used in soapmaking and in flavoring drinks, such as sassafras tea.
       Four different leaf shapes can be found on one sassafras tree: three lobed, elliptical, two lobed/right side, and two lobed/left side (upper photo). The deciduous leaves can grow up to six inches by four inches, and the tree itself may grow up to about 30 to 60 feet. In the spring, small yellowish green flowers develop with the leaves; oval-shaped, blue fruits of less than half an inch follow.
      Sassafras is common throughout the eastern U.S. Although considered by some as a junk tree, it is especially interesting to young children because it is easy to identify by the four different leaves.

 Sassafras (The Lamp)
An original design by Dale Grundon

      The Sassafras is just one of the many varieties of trees common to Mt. Gretna, but with its four different leaves creates much more interest. I had wanted to include this tree into a stained glass project for some time; however, using traditional stained glass techniques would result in an unstable product.

The Sassafras design represents the first venture toward expanding my concept design for these well known Prairie style lamps. It introduces the combination of two ancient glass techniques; what may be considered normal stained glass techniques combined with glass fusing. To accomplish this goal each piece of special glass for the tree’s distantly different shaped leaves was produced within the artist’s glass shop.

            Dale Grundon

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