Bay Trees (Laurus Nobilis)

[MelinaM]

Has anyone else noticed their bay trees slowly declining in health? Mine were all perfectly healthy up until mid March, now one standard bay and three smaller bay's are slowly developing darker crunchier leaves, and slowly turning brown! I protected them through the harsh winter conditions, and they starting sprouting new growth at the end of Feb/beginning of March. Does anyone now what it could be, or have you experienced a similar problem? ...and more importantly is there anything that I can do to revive my beloved bays?! Thank you

Mine's very poorly too but it was suffering some terrible neglect before - will see if you get any more replies/advice here!

Thank you ladies, let's hope someone will come along soon!

Assuming these bays are in pots or am I wrong ?
More info. needed to be honest !

Could be a louse which if first detected needs a solution of detergent sprayed often.. Beyond that it's down the garden centre and explain the problem- can't remember the name but it's" thraclycid " or something like that.

Sorry not to be more helpful but as I spend hours cutting my bay back which would take over my garden if allowed memory a tad rusty. Act now before the new eggs hatch and your bays will fight back no problem !

Oh yes sorry, all in pots, I regularly feed them and change the compost when required. Okay I shall go and have a look, and then give the old soapy water a go. Thank you

Mine's dead too. In a pot. Seen a few threads (inc. yours Poledra) that mention bays dying this year - do they not like the cold maybe? I've noticed a few around here looking the same as mine.

Reminds self again to remove dead bay from pot by front door and replace with something living.

Definitely time to invest in a greenhouse me thinks I've had enough of these Siberian weather conditions, our poor gardens can't take another winter like the last two!

Perhaps a rosemary bush pkam, I've one in a pot near the front door and it's looking better than ever!

I've got lavender by the front door next to the bay and that's survived quite nicely; I've got rosemary out the back but looking very leggy at the moment. Probably couldn't call it a 'bush' - but maybe a new one would look good by the front door. Need to ponder.

It could be bay sucker. It is very difficult to get rid of. If one half of the leaf is curled over and brown then it will be bay sucker. I have it on my bay tree and most others I have seen in the south west also have it to some extent. bay sucker

Mine had that a couple of years ago - I pruned it out and managed to clear it. Good to know what it's called though, thank you. This time the whole thing is dead, leaves totally brown and mostly fallen off.

I clicked because mine is suffering as well. Last year there were lots of scale insects, then the curling leaves and I thought the two were connected, but it would appear I have two separate infestations to deal with. All the ends of the branches are brown and dead now, so I'll be hitting it hard with the pruning shears tomorrow. thanks for the info on baysuckers honestybox....never heard of them before!

Mine has this too. Was given a hard pruning on Friday so hopefully it will perk up again.

Us too.. have a large bay in my herb garden, not in a pot. all of a sudden is brown and crispy. Very depressing. I'll try pruning it hard tomorrow.

Mine's dead too - I must have had it 15 years. It had survived several house moves and being eaten by a terrier in the past.

I might have to visit the garden centre and treat myself to a new one

I removed a lot of those scale -sap eating insects from both of my standard bays last summer, they remained healthy and their leaves didn't curl. I think this crunchy browning leave issue may be something different, very strange indeed as my other standard bay is as healthy as can be Very disconcerting, oh well, looks like we'll all be wielding the shear tomorrow ladies! ..and gentlemen?

Went to the garden centre today to get a replacement bay. DH decided to come with me. Didn't find any bays because he got distracted by the acers. We now have a 6ft crimson queen acer in our pot on the front doorstep! I was very unsure that this would work but it looks fantastic. Just need to keep it alive now....

Sounds fab pkam I've a crimson acer in a pot in the back garden, it tends to look after itself, just don't forget to water like I did last spring! ...lots of water! They are beautiful though!

I hacked back my standard bay today (shall take a pic tomorrow), I think I'm being a little too hopeful that'll it'll improve ...it looks dreadful! Oh well, nothing ventured ....

I was fancying an olive tree but thought I'd probably forget to bring it in when it got too cold.

Must remember to water the acer....must remember to water the acer....must not kill it!

Hope your bay recovers Melina

Olive tree's sounds lovely, but I too would forget about them come winter pkam!

I planted my acer tree in the ground today, had been in a pot for the last 7 years and reached quite a size! ...my poor back!!!

Well the two remaining branches on my bay are looking well, albeit rather bizarre ...shall definitely upload a pic tomorrow!