Can you cut a bay tree back hard?

[IgglePiggle]

I've got a bay tree which I don't like the shape of. Its got a weird V shape thing going on, that reminds me of the sycamore tree at the top of the garden! Can I cut it back hard so it bushes up more? Or would it make it worse

[sarraceniac]

I treat mine like a sawmill specimen. They are very resilient. I'd do it bit by bit but if you do overdo it then don't worry. It will have a 99.9% chance of eventual recovery.

[Jardiniere]

i had one in my london garden and it was growing all over the show, whereas i wanted it to look like a little round lollipop - OH took the shears to it...it looked awful for ages but now (garden is now my daughter's) is beginning to look like a slightly flattened lollipop so from my very limited experience i would agree with sarraceniac and cut it back as much as is required ...............

[sewer rat]

Very timely thread this, as I accquired a 4ft high bay tree / bush today for nought

[Nicos]

Yup- go for it- just make sure there are enough 'growing points' for it the thicken out! ( ie where smaller branches grow out from thicker ones!)

Remember to dry those leaves you cut off

[wellie]

Can I Hard Prune my Bay? YES YOU CAN.....!
Our Lollipop BayTree got really sick one year, and I cut it back severely.
Thankfully, it recovered beautifully.

[srodders]

We had a small one in a pot at out last house which got covered in scale insect/sooty mould. I cut it back so it was just the main stem and it grew back the next year fine with no sign of scale insect.

[Jillyreeves]

Dont forget to dry the leaves you cut off to use over winter in cooking :-)

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ves_39229.html

[IgglePiggle]

It will get the chop later! Could I take cuttings from it, or is it the wrong time of year?

Dont forget to dry the leaves you cut off to use over winter in cooking :-)

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ves_39229.html

I've got loads of old coal ash dumped in my garden soil, so not sure if they would be safe to use.

[gojiberry]

You could try some hardwood cuttings as now is the time they are usually taken. You have nothing to loose if you are going to prune it anyway. I have a large bay in a pot which suffered from sooty mould and I cured it by moving the bay to a place where it got better air circulation.

Ian

[rana]

I recently cut a multistemmed tree back to ground level with a chainsaw. It is already sprouting and will soon be back up to 4 meters high. The wood is excellent for open fires giving off a lovely sweet bay scented smoke.