It will take many years for a plant to grow up to 8m tall and can be clipped to keep it at the desired size. Bay trees are clipped to bring a touch of formality to the garden.
Table of Contents
How much space does a bay tree need?
If you buy bare root bay trees in the winter, they should be placed in a double row with 4.5 to 6 plants per metre. With root balled specimens, or pot grown bays, you will require around 2 – 3 metres of space per plant. The best time to plant a bay tree in the garden is in late spring or early summer.
This is when the leaves are starting to turn green and the buds are beginning to form. The best times for planting are from late April to early May and from early June to mid-July. If you are planting in spring, it is best to wait until after the first frost of the following year, so that the tree is fully established before planting it in your garden.
How fast does a bay leaf tree grow?
The mature size of bay laurels is between five and six feet. Bay laurels grow slowly, usually at a rate of a few inches per year. Bay laurel is a native of the Pacific Northwest. It is native to Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, British Columbia, Alaska, and California.
Do bay trees spread?
The laurus nobilis, or yellow-leaved bay tree, can grow up to 12 metres in height and over 8 metres in spread, but it can take up to 50 years to reach its full height. It is also found in Europe, Asia and North America.
Can I cut the top off my bay tree?
Bays can be pruned to be a single-trunked tree or a multi-trunk shrub. Remove the trunks you don’t want close to the ground. If you want to cut back on the number of trees in your yard, late spring is a good time to do so.
Are bay tree roots a problem?
Bay trees have relatively shallow roots so when planning to move it go for a wide rootball rather than a deep rootball. The parts of the roots which matter will not be damaged. To allow the soil to settle and come into contact with the root ball requires a water well.
If you are moving a tree that has been in the ground for some time, you may want to water it more often than you would if you were just moving it to a new location. This is because the tree may not be able to absorb as much water as it did when it was young.
If you have a lot of trees in your yard, it may be a good idea to have them all watered at the same time.
Where is the best place to plant a bay tree?
You can choose a sheltered spot that is protected from the strong winds. If your soil is not well drained, you can grow plants in 30 cm (12in) pots filled with soil-based or Multipurpose soil. Plants can be grown in containers, but be careful not to over-water, as this can lead to root rot and other problems.
Do bay trees have a big root system?
Bay roots are shallow, but they grow wide. If you notice that you’re hitting a lot of thick roots, you’ll need to dig out at least as wide as the plant’s foliage. Continue digging until you reach the bottom of the pot. Once you’ve dug all the way down, you’ll want to add a layer of potting soil around the root ball.
This will help keep the roots in place and prevent them from growing out of control. If you don’t add enough soil, your roots will grow too fast and you won’t be able to keep up with the growth of your plants. So, add as much soil as it takes to fill the space you dug out.
Once you have your soil added, it’s a good idea to let it sit for a day or two to allow it to absorb the moisture that it has absorbed from the air. After that, move on to the next step.
Where is the best place to put a bay tree?
During the growing season, water should be given to the well-drained soil. Don’t allow the tree to dry out in the winter because less water is required. Prune as needed to maintain a healthy tree. Cuttings are easy to propagate from seed.
The best time to plant a seedling is in late spring or early summer when the weather is warm and the soil is moist. When the seedlings are about 1/2-inch tall, remove them from the pot and place them in a warm, shady location. They will grow quickly and will be ready for transplanting in two to three weeks.
Do bay trees lose their leaves in winter?
The bay trees in pots come into their own during the winter months. Bay is an evergreen plant that has glossy leaves throughout the winter. In the spring, the leaves begin to turn brown and fall off. This is a sign that the plant is ready to bloom. To keep bay leaves looking their best, you’ll need to remove the brown leaves and replace them with new ones.
To do this, simply cut the old leaves in half lengthwise and place them in a plastic bag. Place the bag in the freezer for a few hours, then remove it and discard the remaining leaves. Repeat this process until you have replaced the entire bay leaf litter in your container.
