Sassafras albidum - The sassafras tree, a member of the laurel family, is found throughout the deciduous forests of the Eastern United States. Native Americans made use of the entire tree to serve their medicinal, culinary, and ceremonial needs. The medium-sized tree grows to heights of 15 to 20 meters, is a fast growing plant, and prefers well-drained soils with a low pH, potential of hydrogen. Young trees have a greenish bark; mature trees are reddish brown in color and course in texture. The fruit is an important wildlife food source.
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In 1783, the United States Congress decided a permanent capital was needed. The site for the new city was selected by George Washington and was to be known as the District of Columbia. Pierre L’Enfant and Andrew Ellicott contributed in designing the national capital. Congress had convened in eight other cities prior to meeting in Washington D.C. The other cities, in order of initial appearance, include Philadelphia, Baltimore, Lancaster, York, Princeton, Annapolis, Trenton, and New York. Of the eight cities, Philadelphia’s Congress and Independence Hall served longer as the nation’s temporary capital than all the others combined.
