Sassafras tree not harmful

By Walter Reeves

For the AJC

Q: I’ve heard that sassafras can cause cancer. Should I pull up all that's growing in my yard? Mike Christie, email

A: I wouldn't pull the plants up unless you have an uncontrolled urge to chew the roots. The harmful component in sassafras is safrole, which has been shown to cause liver cancer in mice. The tree causes no harm in your landscape and is food for many animals, including the spicebush swallowtail butterfly.

Q: I would love to grow elderberries to eat for my health and to make wine. Any hints? Leigh McCollum, Maysville

A: Native plant expert Theresa Schrum says to collect the fruits of wild/roadside elderberries when they turn dark purple. Extract the seed from the fruit and plant six seeds per six-inch pot. Leave the pot outdoors for the winter then watch for sprouts next spring. Transplant the sprouts when they are six inches tall. Note that our native elderberries grow 12-15 feet tall and up to 20 feet wide. They require full sun but aren't too fussy about soil conditions.

Q: I have Japanese maple trees in pots on my elevated deck facing east. Can these survive winter on the deck, or must I bring them inside at the first frost? Jim Bloom, email

A: Japanese maple trees should be perfectly winter-hardy, but to be safe, pull the pots close to your house wall for root protection. Be sure the pot drains through the bottom and elevate it off the deck with bricks or pot feet. This prevents soggy roots and possible freeze damage to the pot.

Q: I use the free compost from DeKalb County in my landscape. Could I actually grow things in the compost by itself? Charles Molineaux, Avondale Estates

A: I wish more counties would see the benefits of composting yard waste to give to their citizens. It is described as “mulch” by the county but I often use this material to amend clay soil in my landscape. It contains lots of undecomposed wood chips, so the fungi that break down wood fiber "steal" nitrogen from any nearby plant for at least a year. I add a handful of extra fertilizer to beds where I use it and that seems to suffice. If you want to experiment with a bed full of it, add a cup of 10-10-10 to each cubic foot of material, mix thoroughly and plant a few flowers or vegetables in it. After a year’s time all of the wood chips should be nicely composted and additional fertilizer won’t be needed.

Listen to Walter Reeves Saturday mornings on AM 750 and 95.5 FM News-Talk WSB from 6 to 10. Go to www.yoursoutherngarden.com for details on his TV show or visit his website, www.walterreeves.com.