Will this bay ever grow back?

[Jarstastic]

I bought a beautiful ornamental bay tree for the front of house in 2023 as a treat (for me!) and unfortunately we had placed under porch where it didn’t get any rain and we forgot to water it during the hot time. All the leaves fell off!

I clipped it back and fed it and made sure to include in watering schedule and moved to an area where it gets rain. It had green shoots on it in 2024 but no leaves. started sprouting at the bottom and I pulled them out thinking it would divert energy to the main tree (i think I read it online). However, a man who came round to look at landscaping back garden said not to do that it would make the tree think it’s dying (?)). Anyway I’ve left it alone but here we are in 2025.

if it’s not clear in the picture, the branches on the top left are all green. But have been since summer 2024 with no action.

Please green fingered experts, is there any hope for the original tree? If not I’ll call it a day and replant the container.

Thank you!

I can't see the photo but watching for replies as I also have a poorly bay. It's been neglected and I think it's too exposed in its current position. I'm hoping to revive her this year with some TLC.

Oh silly me my photo had been too big to upload. Just trying again now.

A neighbour looked at the tree yesterday and she said looked like a tiny node in one place so just feed it and see.

I forgot to ask her her option on whether to take out the shoots at the bottom.

I am actually wondering if my bay would benefit from being in a more exposed position. Currently gets west facing sun in the afternoon, but I could put it in the back garden which is east facing but in the part it gets sun from both the east and south so all day. but it would be more exposed to wind.

I don’t think the top will grow back - sorry.

That’s the new growth sprouting from the bottom. You could pinch them all out and see if that encourages growth through the old plant. Scratch towards the top of the old branches to see if there alive (green) or dead (brown).