Went to get a tree from a friend, saw this, wondered what it was as it was purposefully planted by the deceased Botanist.  Several trees/bushes need ID.

Danny

If i saw that leaf in Maryland, i would id it as coming from a Sassafras tree. Her's a pix.

Certainly looks like your picts.  We have Sassafras here but it looks almost identical to a persimmon tree when small.  I think it is a match to yours.  Thx.

Sassafras tree is what I thought when I saw your leaf.I have one good stand of Sassafras trees and others scattered around my property. I have plenty of small trees if anyone wants to trade for fig cuttings or starters.

Danny....

Do a "scratch-and-sniff" on some twigs.   Sassafras smells like root-beer  The roots were used to flavor root-beer back in the day


Frank

Sassafras wine. I wonder ;-)

I would drink that!  (but I also would drink Moxie)

I knew the sassafras was where we got root beer and I also found out that is where get the spice "Filet" which used heavily in Cajun cuisine.

Sounds interesting Danny, looks like you might have found a file' tree.
"gene"

In the mountains of north Georgia where I grew up they call it Sassafrass and dig up the roots dry them and make a tea to drink from it.  I will dig some every now and then and take them to my mother who still enjoys a hot cup.

goss

Sassafarin (sp?) shown to be a carcinogen. It's in the roots, from which the tea made.

Sassafras has three different leaves on one tree: unilobular, mitten and trilobe. Pick a leaf. Taste the stem. It should have a citrus flavor. Put that altogether, and you will be sure what you have is a sassafras. If I saw the bark, I could tell you by that, too.