Cutting back errant growth is not unlike 'The Feeding of the Five Thousand'; one ends-up with far more than one started with.
This Bay Tree had become unruly and was taking light away from our sitting room; it really needed to be cut back, so I spent part of yesterday morning 'hacking' at it. I had already taken one barrow-load of branches to the dump before I took the photo, so the amount I cut away was almost twice the amount as in the picture.
Lady M told me that there was a big Green Lizard living under the bush, but I didn't see him/her. It must have known I was coming.
I do hope the Bay grows back. I only use about three leaves a year, but the bush was given to me by an old friend, and I would hate it to die. I'm sure it'll be OK.
It should come away well. I often cut mine back. I am surprised you use so few leaves. I used 2 yesterday in a pea and bacon hock soup and often add them to casseroles. It is one of my most used herbs.
ReplyDeleteI would be more likely to use them in the UK, where I don't have a bush. I always have to surreptitiously pinch one or two from outside someone's front door.
DeleteYou can't kill a bay!!
ReplyDeleteWe cut back then dug ours up in Leeds and transported the much reduced stump over here and planted it.... it died and I was about to dig it up...but, hold on, what is that... there is a shoot to the side that must be attached to the dead stump... and when I waggle the "dead" stump, the shoot waggles as well....
I have since had to cut the DeadBay (as we call it) back three times.... and it is overdue another!!
And take eight shoot tip cuttings from your scraps - this year's nice young growth... water well and tuck somewhere shady... leave until your visit next year, and you will have at least one well rooted cutting to take back to the UK in 2024! Plant the other seven in a line down at Haddock's!!
It's always had quite a radical trim every year, and been OK, but this time is was 'slaughter on a grand scale', and I was a little wary. I'm sure it'll grow back. If not we have another one. I will pull some rooted bits and pot them up.
DeleteI like the smell of bay trees and leaves but don't use any in cooking as I don't like the flavour. We can only get packets of dried leaves here and sometimes they are too old, since I use one or two then the rest stay in a jar for years, so I just don't use them anymore.
ReplyDeleteI hardly use any either. In a Coq au Vin, or a Boeuf Bourguignon maybe, but nothing else.
DeleteI had one outside my kitchen window, it was a bit of a beast and had to go as it found its way into the drains.. However, I love bay trees and I have two in large pots. One is a Golden Bay, which to me always looks a bit sickly with its golden yellow leaves but I’m told it’s supposed to look like that. It was a present given to my mother from my grandmother about 45 years ago, so sentimental value!
ReplyDeleteMy one was given to me by the distinguished wife of a very distinguished man, and is known as 'Jean'.
DeleteI planted a Bay Leaf tree in a our back garden over 15 years ago from a foot high plant. And as new tenants have taken over the garden I can only watch it grow from my window. It must be over 10 ft tall now.
ReplyDeleteOdd thing is that when I looked after that garden, my neighbour from Algeria regularly asked me for Bay Leaf cuttings. Apparently he burnt them in a tray like some used to do with joss sticks. It seems they give off a fragrant smell like incense.
It must be a Middle Eastern thing.
I think I'd prefer a Patchouli scented joss stick than Bay. Maybe the smoke annoys Mosquitoes.
DeleteThat gives me hope for our Bay. It was given to us a few months back as a very small cutting, only around 10 inches tall, and is in a pot outside the front door. I am hoping it will grow as tall as yours!
ReplyDeleteOurs became huge. Originally I shaped it into a cube, but the cube became enormous. It needed serious pruning.
DeleteI wouldn't mind having a bay tree in the garden. We get leaves from one in the neighbourhood. Bay leaves are a favourite in Greek cooking
ReplyDeleteWe have a huge one up at the barn, but I'm sure this one will be OK.
DeleteI think Bays are pretty tough Cro.
ReplyDeleteMy fingers are crossed.
DeleteIt will come back strong. When I built my last house in Florida, the land clearing guy ripped out a bay tree, and left a couple of pines, I was planning to do that the other way around.
ReplyDeleteWhen we built the pool, the builder wanted to cut down a lovely Apple tree that was by the new Pump House. We said "No". He later realised that we were right.
DeleteA radical trim is good and keeping growth away from windows and exterior walls is better for the house.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly was in this case. It had started to block our light, and even our way in.
DeleteI buy bay leaves. I have never seen where they grow.
ReplyDeleteI often think of that when I annually burn a huge pile.
DeleteSadly any bay leaves I've had have normally come in a packet from the supermarket. It's not a herb I use often.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure your tree will grow back quickly. Have you thought of taking a cutting back with you - or isn't that allowed?
Yes, there are few 'suckers' that I could pull from the roots. We could do with a bush back in the UK, and I have just the spot for one.
DeleteCro, we had a beautiful bay tree that lived for years, but died during our last Arctic freeze. And we used the leaves all the time in our cooking... roasts, red beans and rice, etc. They are also good at keeping bugs out of your pantry. So I really hope your bay tree comes back!
ReplyDeleteI always use them in a Coq au vin, but that is just maybe four times a year.
DeleteThey can grown into huge handsome trees...you should see the ones in the central square in Portmeirion
ReplyDeleteI have been to Portmeirion, but obviously wasn't paying attention.
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