What is the lifespan of a bay tree?
Lifespan. Bay Laurel is a long-lived plant, with some specimens surviving over 100 years when grown in suitable conditions. Bay Laurel will grow to be about 30 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 20 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 2 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 60 years or more.You will need to water bay laurel regularly, but not more than once a week, once established, except in very hot, prolonged dry spells. Of course, since this is a culinary plant, you’ll want to harvest some of the leaves, which you can do at any time of the year.
Should I cut the brown leaves off a bay tree?
Remove all leaves which are completely brown or yellow and dispose of them well away from the plant (preferably burn them). Over the next few months inspect your plant weekly (we are guilty of an almost daily look at our bay trees) and remove any damaged leaves. bay tree leaves turning yellow or brown are common symptoms of too much water or too little water, and sometimes depleted potted soil. Keeping potted bays lightly fed, watered but also well drained, repotted every few years, are often all it takes to keep them gorgeously glossy and green.In general, dead leaves, compacted soil and underfeeding all contribute to the general health of your bay tree. The removal of dead leaves and the replacement of the top 3cm of soil with fresh new compost will improve the overall health of your tree.Growing bay: problem-solving If the leaves get damaged by frost or wind (which will turn them brown or black), pick them off or trim plants in late spring or summer to encourage new growth. Yellow leaves can be a problem on bay trees.Relocate it to a brighter position, ideally one that gets several hours of sunlight a day, especially during the growing season. A struggling bay tree doesn’t mean it’s beyond saving. With a little observation and care, most bay trees bounce back beautifully.
Where to put bay leaves in your home?
Some cooks use bay leaves in the pantry to deter moths, weevils, and other pests. A common trick is to place one bay leaf each on top of your flour, rice, and other grains. However, they remain unpleasantly stiff even after thorough cooking, and if swallowed whole or in large pieces they may pose a risk of harming the digestive tract or causing choking. Thus, most recipes that use bay leaves will recommend their removal after the cooking process has finished.
Why is my bay tree going brown?
Brown leaves on the inside of bay trees are a regular occurrence, particularly after long, dry summers. It is caused by the plant becoming excessively dry over January and February. Bay trees grow especially well in a rich soil that is kept well-watered. Why are my bay tree leaves yellow and curled? Bay Suckers are probably the cause. These are sap-sucking insects which are active in the summer months. The symptoms are yellowing leaf margins which become thickened and curled.