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I have lost two or three shrubs over the Winter which I will have to replace, but I am most upset about my Bay Tree. It has very bad ice burn and I have pruned it back, but it is still looking very sorry for itself. What can I do if anything to save it please
Of all creatures, man is the most detestable, he is the only creature that inflicts pain for sport, knowing it to be pain. ~ Mark Twain
Dont Panic....
If frost affects your tree, & only some of the leaves are affected, remove them in spring and give the tree a good feed. Something like Blood. Fish & Bone and then a good Mulch, New shoots will appear in the spring.
To prevent further damage cover the bush with some Horticultural Fleece.
Hope that helps. :-)
Hi Judi
I think it is a question of a severe pruning as the tree will become very lanky and it will become a burden on the soils nutrients.
http://www.gardenaction.co.uk/fruit_veg_diary/fruit_veg_mini_project_september_3_bay2.asp
Hope that this link helps you to resolve issues. I think you would have been better tohave pruned back the Bay Tree in September time last year (we have a small tree close to our Patio and we clipped it back and it looks better now)
It looks lanky now so a slight prune would not kill at the moment.
Regards
Kathy and Dave
Juno said: Dont Panic.... If frost affects your tree, & only some of the leaves are affected, remove them in spring and give the tree a good feed. Something like Blood. Fish & Bone and then a good Mulch, New shoots will appear in the spring. To prevent further damage cover the bush with some Horticultural Fleece. Hope that helps. :-)
Thanks JunoI have already cut quite a lot off, its quite extensive and really it should have the tip cut off, but would that stop it getting any taller?Judi
Hi JudiM,
Just had a look In my book about your Bay,It says remove any frost damaged leaves and stems In late spring, It Is worth a try.Hopefully It will be ok,you do still appear to have some nice green leaves on it.One of my Hebes looked really bad I was going to dig It out.But Instead Iv'e cut It right back In where I could see new shoots,so I am keeping my fingers crossed that It will be ok.
Littleowl
Not really, it will get wider for a bit, but will always grow upwards eventually.
BlackbirdThanks for the link. Some good info.
LittleowlThat gives me some hope - many thanks
JunoThanks again, gives me a little re-assurance, I will try a good haircut
I have a full blown Bay tree (along with a little one by our Patio doors) at the end of our garden and it is not doing too badly form what I can see. It is a wildlife haven too - lots of spiders etc...
I think it depends on what you want from your Bay Tree. Either a controlled small plant or a large Tree.
Sounds silly, but when my neighbour pointed out that she took 'Bay' leaves from over the fence of our garden I knew it meant serious business that a Bay tree can go on forever.