Has it croaked???

[minskey]

I have a beautiful baytree which is not looking beautiful any more. I planted it about 9 years ago and it is now around 7ft tall. It is usually a lush green but now a lot of the leaves are brown. I have a lurking feeling that minus 15.5C this winted has damaged it

What do you think & what shall I do?

[VirginVegGrower]

Leave until frosts are gone and prune back. Is it extensive or in patches? Mine suffered slightly last year but has recovered.

[Nicos]

Hard to say....but you may find that the inner stems have survived!

Wait and see ....then cut out anything later on which has no new growth.

[Peas'n'Kews]

My original bay went brown after its first winter, and it has recovered just fine. The one I planted last year is now VERY brown, but hopefully when I cust it back later in the year it too will be fine and dandy again.
So there is hope....

[Capsid]

I have one in a pot that I was pruning to a lollipop shape but last year's winter killed the top off. It's growing from the base again so I think yours will recover too.

[veggiechicken]

I wish mine would croak - its at least 12' - and grown from a cutting. The parent plant is much smaller, only about 6' but growing at the back of a rockery so restricted roots.

[Glutton4...]

This has happened to at least two Bay Trees in gardens I tend. One has been cut right back, lifted and potted over winter, and stored in a sheltered area under fleece, and is now growing vigourously. The others are recovering well now that the weather has improved. Many trees have suffered in our area, due to two years' insufficient rainfall and cold winters.

[minskey]

it seems to be the top half, it is next to a fence so that must have sheltered the bottom half. I'm glad there may be a light at the end of the tunnell. I'll wait and see, and, keep you posted

[VirginVegGrower]

Cut back later after cold weather gone and give a feed.

I forgot to add, mine is a good 8-10 high and pine one shaped as I attack it with a hedge cutter from a stepladder every year they don't mind a hack once established.

[Scarlet]

The frost got all of mine last year and I feared the worst - I pruned hard ( a couple to the ground ) and they all sprung back.