Sweet Bay Laurel Trees

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  1. Standard Bay Trees With Cold Damage
  2. Can I Get Sweet Bay Laurel to Grow Indoors in Canada
  3. Bay Tree
  4. Re-Potting Very Large Bay Tree
  5. Plant Problems
  6. Bay Tree Growth
  7. How Far Apart Should I Plant Sweet Bay Laurels to Use as a Screen?
Asked by Anonymous on April 3, 2011
Standard Bay Trees With Cold Damage

I have two standard bay trees that are in pots against a wall. The recent cold weather seems to have killed the leaves, which are brown and dry. Have I lost them, or is there anything I can do to save them? I have had them a year.

ANSWERS
Nikki
Certified GKH Gardening Expert

They can recover, if the stems are alive. The brown leaves will fall off. Then new leaves will grow back. Because bay trees grow slowly, this may take some time. 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

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Asked by hkrahn on June 21, 2011
Can I Get Sweet Bay Laurel to Grow Indoors in Canada

Can I get seed or plants in Canada shipped here? After I saw your article on sweet bay, I searched, but could not find any available in Canada.

ANSWERS
Heather
Certified GKH Gardening Expert

Check eBay. I have had great luck finding hard to find plants on there.

Yes, it will grow indoors in a bright window. I have had one for 7 years now that spends half the year on the porch and the other half in my dining room.

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Asked by Anonymous on August 15, 2011
Bay Tree

Could you tell me why my bay tree leaves are turning yellow?

ANSWERS
Nikki
Certified GKH Gardening Expert

There are many reasons this can happen. This article will help you determine which may be affecting your plant:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/plant-leaves-turn-yellow.htm

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Asked by Anonymous on August 31, 2011
Re-Potting Very Large Bay Tree

My Bay tree is approximately 10-12 ft. high with a head girth of approximately 14-15 ft. It is currently in a 2 x 2 x 2 ft. pot and the roots of the tree have burst open the pot, so I need to repot quickly. Where can I find a larger pot than the current one, and can the root ball be trimmed back? If so, how do I do this?

ANSWERS
Nikki
Certified GKH Gardening Expert

I would check with your local nursery for a larger pot. As we are not sure how large the rootball is, it would be difficult to say where to find a pot. If you have not already considered it, you may want to think about using a half whiskey or wine barrel for the pot. In the short term, wrap the rootball in plastic and spray it down twice a day (letting the water flow away and not sit in the plastic) to keep the roots as healthy as possible.

Yes, you can trim back the roots. This article can help you with that: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/hpgen/prune-roots.htm

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Asked by Anonymous on October 23, 2011
Plant Problems

I have a Bay Tree in a large container. It has thrived nicely for many years, but this year the leaves are covered with black spots. This is a real shame as I like to use the bay leaves for cooking. Can the bay tree be saved or is it diseased?

ANSWERS
Nikki
Certified GKH Gardening Expert

It sounds like it has a fungus, likely black spot. Treat the tree with a fungicide and it should clear it up. I like to use neem oil on plants I plan on using in food. This article has more on it: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm

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Asked by blackduc on January 1, 2012
Bay Tree Growth

We have a Bay tree that was given to us as a gift by my husband’s sister, who bought one exactly the same at the time she gave us ours. Her Bay tree is 20 foot+ in height and ours is about 2 foot in height. She has hers planted next to a fence in between other trees and shrubs. We have ours planted out in the open. Please tell us what you suggest we do with ours to enhance growth, or do we take the chance and re-plant it to another spot in the garden. I await a hasty reply, Blackduc

ANSWERS
Heather
Certified GKH Gardening Expert

I think it is likely a nutrient issue. Have the soil tested, but in the mean time, it should be safe to give the tree a balanced fertilizer.

You also did not mention how close your sister-in-law lives to you. There may be slight climate changes that are influencing the growth. Even if she lives nearby, she could have a miroclimate (https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/projects/how-to-make-a-microclimate.htm) that is helping her tree along.

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Asked by lallen516 on January 3, 2013
How Far Apart Should I Plant Sweet Bay Laurels to Use as a Screen?

How far apart should I plant sweet bay laurels to use as a screen?

ANSWERS
AnnsGreeneHaus

Sweet Bay is slow growing to 12-15 feet wide. I tell customers that if they cannot wait for the screen to mature to size naturally, plant on spacing for one half the expected width, then cut every other plant out when they touch. For instance: Sweet Bay should be planted on 12 foot centers. If you want a fast screen, plant on 6 foot centers and when they touch, cut out every other sweet bay. IF, you have room, plant 2 rows, 15feet apart and stagger (zig-zag) your plants. That way, you won't have to remove any, and all will have enough room!

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