This decidious, medium to large-sized tree is common as an understory or lower canopy tree. It is easily recognized because the leaves come in three basic shapes: "fingers", with three lobes; "mittens", with one large lobe, and a smaller "thumb", and egg-shaped without lobes. The margins of the leaves are without teeth. The crushed leaves, twigs, and bark are spicy-fragrant. A pleasant tea can be made by boiling the outer bark of the tree roots. Sassafras oil is used in some soaps and a bark extract can produce an orange dye. Since 1960s, the chemical compound safrole found in the oil of sassafras was declared to be a potential carcinogen by the FDA and so is no longer recommended for use. The wood is durable and was once used to make buckets, barrels, and small boats. The autumn colors vary from orange to deep red.