15 Useful Tips On Pruning Bay Tree, Care, + Overall Growth

The bay tree is a large aromatic shrub with smooth green leaves. They are attractive and have shiny foliage. Typically, a bay tree can grow up to 20 or 30 feet tall.

Although pruning a bay tree is not strictly necessary, you can limit their growth and turn them into a manageable shape. Before pruning bay Tree, some questions may come to your mind, such as:

How to grow a bay leaf tree?
How to grow bay leaf plant at home?
How to prune bay laurel?

For Pruning Bay Tree, If the height does not bother you, and the tree is entirely healthy, there is no need to prune it.

But if one of these reasons appears, you should prune immediately. A large bay tree can withstand very hard pruning, no matter which trunk you cut. Even they can resist cutting the main trunk.

This article will help you to get the answers and understand clearly about pruning bay tree leaf techniques, dos, and don’ts.

Also, read below gardening tips.

Contents show

What Are The Best Ways For Pruning Bay Tree With Large Shape?

Generally, a bay tree can grow to 30 feet if you do not prune it. If you are okay with this size, you should not prune the tree. But if you do not want this height, you can prune it as they accept severe pruning.

Even if you prune them into topiary shapes. But there are various reasons behind pruning a bay tree. Usually, the main reasons behind pruning a large bay tree are:

The height
Disease
Suckers

Like other trees, you should cut bay trees in the late spring. Pruning a tree in a dry period is better. First, you should study your tree and the environment around it.

Then it would help if you determined the shape. Which look do you want for your tree? After deciding the shape, you should choose the method as there are two ways to prune a bay bush.

Multi trunk bushes
Single trunk bush

You can convert your bay tree into a single-trunked tree or multi-trunk bushes. You can also hire a skilled pruner because they can elaborate on topiary designs with bay trees.

For pruning a large tree, you should trim away damaged leaves. If you want to limit the height, trim the top of the bay as you wish.

For pruning bay trees, Remove the trunks that you do not want at the bottom. If you are pruning the tree for the first time.

You should prune a quarter of the tree in the first year, and then you should prune a less portion in the next year.

Finally, you should cut your tree into a tidy shape in the third year, and this pruning will give the tree its final appearance. For cutting branches that are greater than one inch, you can use loppers.

Also, find below the pruning guide.

Why Are The Leaves on My Bay Tree Turning Yellow?

Turning the leaves into yellow or brown is the common complaint. There can be several reasons behind it. For example:

Bay tree suckers
Inadequate amount of water
Environment

Bay Tree Suckers

Bay tree suckers grow from roots. Bay tree suckers are tiny insects, fluffy white cobweb-like stuff. Suckers attack mainly the young leaves.

An affected leaf will curl inward by the attack of the sucker. If you do not remove them, they will form the clumping of the leaves.

Inadequate Amount of Water

It is another crucial reason for turning leaves into yellow. You should not overwater and underwater plants as they damage the leaves. Again, under watering also cause turning yellow or brown.

Tips:

Remove the suckers from the bay leaf tree zone.
Use the right water pot for watering the bay tree.

Environmental Reasons

The environment has a significant impact on the health of a tree. Too much cold and wind can significantly turn leaves into yellow. If both problems are present, your bay tree leaves will undoubtedly turn yellow.

How Do You Take Care of a Bay Tree?

When you notice that the leaves of your trees are turning brown or yellow, you should start taking care of your tree.

Dead or damaged leaves, little water, compacted soil can damage your tree. So, you should take care of your bay tree in a proper way.

Tips:

Remove the brown or yellow leaves. They will affect surrounded leaves.
You can replace the old compost with new compost. Fertilizer is essential for your tree.
Inspect your bay tree weekly, wipe out all the damaged trees because damaged and diseased leaves attract bugs and other insects.
If your environment is too cold, there can be a sign of white marks on the leaves of your tree. This condition can also occur due to overwatering. Choosing the right container can solve this problem.

Also, read below tips for plants growth

Do Bay Trees Like Sun or Shade?

When you want to grow a bay tree indoors, you should keep it near a sunny window. Never keep them near a heater or heat-producing appliances. So, we are adding some tips to keep your bay tree healthy.

Tips:

If you are growing a bay tree outdoors, you should place it in a place where it can get both sun rays and partial shade.
In hot and dry areas, shade is essential. Plant the tree at such a place where it will get enough shade.
If you are growing the tree indoors, try to keep it near the window so that it can get sun rays.

Can I Use Bay Leaves Straight from The Tree?

Bay leaves are one of the essential spices used in various cooking. Generally, you can get edible bay leaves from a supermarket or a shop.

Bay laurel leaf remains fresh and retains its flavors for up to six months when packed. If you have a bay tree in your yard, you don’t need to purchase it from the market.

You can use freshly picked bay leaves for cooking. For cooking purposes, you can use both dried and fresh bay leaves.

The flavor or aroma does not change if you use bay leaves directly from your garden by growing bay leaves. But if you want to store bay leaves for several months, here are some tips for you.

Tips:

After picking bay leaves from the tree, they take up to three weeks to dry. You should cut a couple of stems from the plant and hang them in a dry place.
Then wait for 14 days to 25 days for bay tree leaves drying.
Store them in a jar or an air-tight packet.

How Do You Shape A Bay Tree?

It is not easy to shape a bay plant because it can take up to four years to achieve the desired shape. Also, the process of giving shape is not easy. The standard shape of a bay tree is a lollypop shape.

If you want to buy a lollypop shaped bay tree from the super shop, it will cost you at least $60. So, pruning a bay tree into the desired shape is not an easy task. Here are the tips for pruning your bay tree into a lollypop shape.

Tips:

Remove the trunks from the main stem.
Do not cut the top main growing shoot.
Generally, bay trees grow from the height. So, you should remove all the shoots that come between a leaf and the main stem.
It takes up to two years to grow the tree about 3 feet. When the tree reaches near the desired height, it will have a bushy top with several side shoots. You should prune them from the top to get the desired shape.
It would help if you tied the main stem with a cane so that it can withstand high winds.
Sometimes the main stem needs the support of several canes from different points.

How to Grow Twisted Stem Bay Tree?

You can grow a twisted bay easily. Though experts can do it correctly, you can also give it a try. Here are some tips for growing a twisted stem bay tree.

Choose a very young and supple tree.
Twist them around small supports so that they start growing around the supports.
Remove the supports after someday.
They will continue growing in the same way even if you remove the supports.
Finally, they will get a spiral shape.

How to Grow Bay Laurel?

Bay laurel is a kitchen seasoning. It is an aromatic evergreen tree that features shiny, oval-shaped leaves. Other names of bay laurel are:

Sweet laurel
True laurel
Crucial laurel

You can cultivate bay laurel at home. Growing bay laurel is not a difficult task. The procedure of growing bay laurel is easy.

If you want to get an idea about how to grow a bay leaf tree, here are your tips. We are adding the procedure for your convenience.

Collect seed of bay laurel from small clumps of yellow flowers.
You can train the trunks into braids or spirals.
For container growth, you should use soil with organic compost.
Make sure to maintain proper drainage.
Plant the seed and water regularly.
You can also plant a bay laurel herb.
Prune and train the tree as you desire.

Bay Leaf Tree Diseases and Problems

Bay trees are more susceptible to some diseases. Some prevalent pathogens create problems on the leaves. There are different types of conditions. They are:

Cultural diseases
Pest problems

#1 Cultural Diseases

Due to nitrogen or mineral deficiency, these diseases occur. Common symptoms of these diseases are yellow or brown leaves. You can treat these diseases by adding organic mulch around the root because roots are the primary target.

#2 Pest Problems

Pest mainly attacks the leaves of the bay tree. Several types of pests can attack a bay tree like:

Scales
Psyllids
Vine weevils

Before treating the pest, you must identify the pest type. These pests cause holes in the leaves and damage the tree.

If you do not cure these problems immediately, they will cause severe damage to the bay tree. Bay laurel tree care is essential.

How Epsom Salts Used For Bay Trees?

Bay laurel leaves tend to curl and turn into a spiral shape when bay leaf suckers attack the leaves. Sometimes the leaves get curled in the absence of some environmental factors.

This problem is severe, and if you do not start bay laurel leaf care immediately, they will consequently damage other leaves.

Epsom salts are very useful for treating this condition. You can spray your curled foliage by mixing two spoons of Epsom salt in one gallon of water. Epsom salts increase the absorption of roots. You can spread Epsom salts at the root zone. Epsom salts help in better absorption of minerals.

Overgrown Pruning Bay Tree Tricks?

If you are planning to prune an over-grown bay tree, you should know some tricks and tips. Here is some advice to help you with pruning the bay laurel tree.

Tips:

Decide which size of tree you want. If you are going to make a shrub-like form, you need to cut a large portion.
If you want to prune the tree to a decorative size, remove the lower branches.
Remove all the young suckers from the bay leaf tree zone.
In case of multiple trunks, you should remove 1/3 of the shrub’s stem.

How Old Should Sweet Bay Laurel Tree Be Before Pruning?

You can prune a sweet bay laurel of any age. Whenever there is any damaged leaves or trunks, you should prune them. The pruning depends on the desired shape. Here are some special tips for pruning sweet bay laurel.

Tips:

If you want a lollypop shape bay tree, you should prune it at a young age.
If it is a full-grown bay leaf tree, you can prune hard.

Who to Call for Tree Pruning in East Bay?

In east bay, some organizations provide pruning services. If you are in the east bay, you can call:

Call-Line Tree Care
Eli Tree Service
Alex Tree Service
Valley Falls Tree Care

How to Grow A Bay Tree From Cuttings?

Harvesting bay leaves from soft woodcutting are possible. The perfect time is in late spring or early summer, and semi-ripe cutting is available in early summer.

The process is not complicated at all. It would be best if you planted the cut portion in a container and keep it in a convenient place.

You may also like to read below gardening articles.

Conclusion

Generally, a bay tree can live for 50 years if you take well care of it. People use bay tree leaves as a spice in many cuisines from ancient times.

Besides, you can use a bay tree as a garden ornament of your garden. So, taking care of a bay tree is worth it. Feel free to comment below about the bay tree.

Use all the above tips on the best ways to Best Pruning Bay Tree and let us know how do you like these.

Olivia

My name is Olivia, and I live in the United States and love having plants in my garden. Lots of plants are there on my balcony, indoor and outdoor garden also. Here I am trying to share useful gardening tips, how to grow and care for various plants, etc.