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  • Answered by
    AnnsGreeneHaus on
    May 31, 2013
    A.

    Sweet bay can be a shrub or tree. If you prefer a tree, you will need to cut the root suckers. The tree mat will keep them from coming up where it covers the ground. For a shrub, leave the root suckers alone.

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  • Answered by
    Nikki on
    March 9, 2014
    Certified Expert
    A.

    If you're pruning to a tree-shape, remove the lower branches to reveal the trunks, removing the lower branches to shape it into a tree. Prune all the young suckers around the base of the shrub at ground level, removing up to one third of the shrub's stems if there are multiple trunks rising from the roots. Do not remove any more than a third of its growth in any given year. Also, remove any crossing or crowded branches about 1/4-inch above an outward facing bud until you achieve the desired shape.

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  • Answered by
    Nikki on
    March 26, 2014
    Certified Expert
    A.

    They can recover, if the stems are alive. This article will help you determine if the stems are still alive: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/how-to-tell-if-a-plant-is-dead-and-how-to-recover-an-almost-dead-plant.htm The brown leaves will fall off. Then new leaves will grow back. Because bay trees grow slowly, this may take some time. Here is an article that you may find helpful: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/tips-for-saving-cold-damaged-plants.htm

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  • Answered by
    Nikki on
    April 14, 2014
    Certified Expert
    A.

    Now would be a good time to repot your tree. When repotting, it is best to go at least 2 inches larger in diameter on the pot. But there is absolutely no harm to the plant if you decide to go bigger than that. And going larger means that it will be longer before you have to repot the tree again.

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  • Answered by
    Nikki on
    April 17, 2014
    Certified Expert
    A.

    You do not strip off all the leaves from the plant, but rather harvest and use them as needed. The leaves may be harvested at any time (year round), but the best flavor can be had from larger, mature leaves. To harvest leaves, cut the older leaves from the stem with a pair of scissors, or you can gently pull the leaves off of the stem by hand.

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  • Answered by
    btsldlc on
    March 16, 2015
    A.

    Didn't you have some serious cold this winter?
    I live in central Florida and have a bay leaf in a pot also. However, I always bring it in for the winter. I think because we had so much rain last year.....mine got all dead looking leaves also. I trimmed it back a little and it did come back just like new. Perhaps you should wait a bit and see if any green shoots start coming out with the nicer weather.

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