One of my heroes, George Nakashima, wrote a book called The Soul of a Tree, and I think of it when I see trees with interesting bark or burls. According to the sign at the MacCullough Hall Garden, this is one of the three oldest Sassafras trees in the state of New Jersey. It may not be long for this world, but it's got plenty of soul left. Morristown, New Jersey. 4 May 2012.