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How do you tell if you have a bay tree?

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  • How do you tell if you have a bay tree?

    I have what I think is one in the garden, although we've just chopped about 8' of it off the top.

    I've used the leaves a couple of times and not poisoned anyone! Is there anything in particular that I need to look out for? Every photo I've seen of the leaves, seeds etc look the same, but then mine was a 18' tree rather than a small tree.

    Thanks
    Rachel

    Trying to tame the mad thing called a garden and getting there I think!


    My Garden Mayhem...inspirational blog for me I hope! - updated 16/04/09

  • #2
    They grow into great big trees, dark green rather brittle looking leaves which are aromatic if crushed....do you have a photo? Or take a few leaves to a (good) garden centre, they'll be able to tell you!

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    • #3
      I'll take a photo tomorrow. Although it's looking rather sorry for itself now! I think I just have two thick tree trunks and a few scraggly branches left It was shading a lot of the garden though.
      Rachel

      Trying to tame the mad thing called a garden and getting there I think!


      My Garden Mayhem...inspirational blog for me I hope! - updated 16/04/09

      Comment


      • #4
        Here is a picture of what the leaves look like.
        _____________
        Cheers Chris

        Beware Greeks bearing gifts, or have you already got a wooden horse?... hehe.

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        • #5
          Thanks, will go and take a photo later and compare
          Rachel

          Trying to tame the mad thing called a garden and getting there I think!


          My Garden Mayhem...inspirational blog for me I hope! - updated 16/04/09

          Comment


          • #6
            Bay Laurel, sweet bay or laurel tree, care and cultivation.

            ...up to 60ft high!!!!

            There was a bay tree in Cardiff at one of the residential homes growing in a sheltered position- and it was about 12 ft x 6ft.
            I imagine you are a bit warmer than Cardiff?

            Crush the leaves in your hands- you'll have a very strong scent of bay left behind.
            Laurel is poisonous ( and much bigger ,lighter coloured, rounder,shinier leaves)- so do be careful!
            "Nicos, Queen of Gooooogle" and... GYO's own Miss Marple

            Location....Normandy France

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            • #7
              Just downloading some photos now. I did crush the leaves and it did smell but can't for the life of me decide if it smells of bay leaves
              Rachel

              Trying to tame the mad thing called a garden and getting there I think!


              My Garden Mayhem...inspirational blog for me I hope! - updated 16/04/09

              Comment


              • #8
                Ok now with photos!







                Rachel

                Trying to tame the mad thing called a garden and getting there I think!


                My Garden Mayhem...inspirational blog for me I hope! - updated 16/04/09

                Comment


                • #9
                  It does look very bay-ish to me, where the leaves have gone brown in patches looks just like mine too.
                  Make sure you keep a good bagful of the leaves to dry for casseroles etc

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                  • #10
                    http://tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:...y-laurel-5.jpg

                    cherry laurel, the poisonous one, the leaves are as stated above rounder lighter and shinier.
                    Vive Le Revolution!!!
                    'Lets just stick it in, and see what happens?'
                    Cigarette FREE since 07-01-09

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                    • #11
                      That looks like a bay to me! Lucky you!

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                      • #12
                        Thank you! Anyone want a few thousand leaves Think I may dry a batch later in Stanley, trouble is I never use that many!

                        And how can I stop the brown patches, anyone know?
                        Rachel

                        Trying to tame the mad thing called a garden and getting there I think!


                        My Garden Mayhem...inspirational blog for me I hope! - updated 16/04/09

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          I'd say you have a bay tree! Mine is about 6 ft and is a bush because I keep it severely chopped back. I use it in cooking, flower arranging, Christmas decorations. It's a wonderful tree. I just love it. I think if you gave yours something of a hair-cut you could rejuvenate it. I'd do about a third of the branches. If they start to shoot from lower down - do another third next year till they're all shorter.
                          Whoever plants a garden believes in the future.

                          www.vegheaven.blogspot.com Updated March 9th - Spring

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