MO Trees: Bitter Root Beer Multi-Cache

Required tools for completion: a compass (if your phone or GPS does not have one) and a tape measure. Daylight hours only, please.

Welcome to the Grindstone Nature Area! Several native species of tree call the lowlands here home. We will be taking a look at two unique specimens in particular: the Common Persimmon and Sassafras. Both have a culinary history for good and ill. Read on to find out more!

Tree name: Common Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana)
Location: Posted Coordinates (N 38° 55.783, W 92° 19.080)
Nicknames: Simmon, Possumwood

Identification (Bitter)

Standing near the middle of the trail at the posted coordinates is a Common Persimmon tree. What's most striking about the Common Persimmon is the bark: it's dark brown, almost black, and broken up into small squares. Leaves are much more common in appearance. Simple oval or elliptical spades between 2 to 6 inches in length are alternately attached to the branches. These trees often grow up to 30 or 40 feet tall.

Fruit of the Common Persimmon makes this tree from the ebony family a double-edged culinary sword! Smooth and green most of the year, these round balls are astounding bitter. One must wait until after the first frost. The formerly sour devils are then only usable after they have fallen off the tree. Wrinkled in appearance, their color will have changed to an orange or purplish brown. They are deceptively delectable at this point having a sweet taste ready for puddings, cakes or breads. Note that persimmons native to Missouri are not the same as those found in the grocery store. They're even better (or bitter if used too soon)!

The Geocache (Part One)

About four and a half feet from the ground, wrap your tape measure around the trunk of the tree. Make sure your tape measure's height is close to the same all the way around. Where the end of the tape measure hits the tape measure again is the circumference. Take note of the circumference to the closest foot. You will need this information later.

Now, follow the trail north as it curves northeast to the Trail Crossing waypoint. There's another group of trees you need to see!

Tree name: Sassafras (Sassafras albidum)
Location: Trail Crossing (N 38° 55.809, W 92° 19.074)
Nicknames: Cinnamon Wood, Mittenleaf

Identification (Root Beer)

During warmer months, something strange may be found at the southeast corner where these trails meet. Each of the trees appears to have three different kind of leaves 3 to 5 inches in length. Is this a trick of the light? No, these are, in fact, Sassafras trees! The shapes are known locally as the spade (simple oval), mitt (two lobes) and glove (three lobes). All are shiny on top with a pale, slightly hairy underside. The main trunk of these 30 to 60 foot tall trees is covered with a dark brown bark that becomes deeply furrowed with age. Fruit of a Sassafras looks like a cluster of berries on long stalks turning from green to dark blue or black when ripe.

Unlike our bitter friend the Common Persimmon, the Sassafras was not sought after for its fruit. One must look much lower to get to the root of our quandary. Not only were the roots a good way to perfume soap, they also became the original flavoring for root beer. But don't try making your own! Carcinogenic compounds have since been discovered in these flavorful tendrils. You can always settle for creating a spicy fragrance by crushing the dried leaves of a Sassafras.

The Geocache (Part Two)

After enjoying the company of the Sassafras trees, take the number you measured earlier and multiply by 14. Proceed due south that number of feet from the Trail Crossing coordinates. You will encounter the largest Sassafras tree in the vicinity. The trunk is just about as large around as the Common Persimmon you measured earlier.

Now, to reach the final spot (which, coincidentally, hides the geocache), walk southwest half of the distance you just traveled. Be stealthy, and hide the container well to keep it safe and out of sight.

Permission was obtained to place this geocache.