Attention bay leaf growers

[Jenise]

My bay leaf tree is in its third year now and, I realized today, is actually about three inches taller than I am and I'm not short. I am a proud bay leaf mommy! In fact, I've topped it to keep it from growing any taller because I want a shrub, not a tree. From about 15" to this is in so little time is much better than I expected, especially for a plant touted as 'tender'.

Anyway, I avoided picking the first year but last year it met my needs and this year I could liberally help myself. But I've played this whole thing by ear and what I don't know is how long the leaves stay on the tree. The leaves I'm referring to are the ones that grew last summer are now dark, spicy and thick. Those are the ones best for using now--I'll call those the 'ripe' leaves. At what point will I lose the ripe leaves if I don't pick them? If they were to turn yellow and drop off this fall, I'd harvest and dry them for winter use before that could happen.

I appreciate any advice!

I just had my tree cut down due to the infestation of white fly that I could not control, and a couple too mind winters did not rid them. However, I kept enough of the trunk and branches that I will have new leaves and a relatively impressive bush by next June. As for the leaves, I discovered that the mature leaves do not drop in my climate (zone _8). I have been able to harvest leaves year 'round, once the tree got established. And, I must admit to a preference for the fresh mature leaves from the tree rather than dried leaves. Much better taste with multiple notes that I think get lost in drying.

As for the size of the tree, I had no idea it would get as large as it does. I passed a house in another part of the city this weekend and saw what appeared to me to be bay leaves. I walked over and pulled one, sure enough, it was a fully grown bay leaf tree standing about 30 ft tall (well above the roof of the house) and what I would call an appropriate shade tree, with a trunk that had to be 4-5' in diameter! I was shocked. Pruning will definitely be a required activity to keep the tree a shape and size that fits my yard. And, it is a very fast and prolific grower. So, Jenise, I would suggest thinning as much as possible when you prune, otherwise you will find a number of tightly clustered branches in a very short period of time. I think this added to my white fly nesting problem (not being able to adequately get to the inner branches and leaves where the egg sacks were laid.

Also, I had no idea that bay is an incredibly dense hardwood. Had I recognized that before the gardeners left, I would have had them clean up the main trunk of the tree and cut it into chunks for my barbeque grill! C'est la vie!

Hey, why did my zone 8 show up as a smilicon?

[Jenise]

Jo Ann--the number eight thing is a software glitch beyond our control. On your behalf, I inserted an underline on yours to make it look right but an eight without something in front of it goes goofy.

Thanks for the advice re the tree. I'll do some thinning. Needed to anyway, I think, to avoid a poodle cut but with your advice I'll be careful not to leave shelter for bug nests. But interesting that the rest of the leaves won't fall off. Even most perennials shed somewhat, and mine hadn't so I wondered. Meanwhile, the leaves just get better and better tasting.

And I too would much rather harvest fresh leaves, and I'm totally in love with the flavor of them to the point that I use more bay leaves than ever before because I crave that assertive bay flavor. It's no longer just a side player with me, it's great as a dominant taste.

It's not the "8" alone; it's the "8" followed by the ")" that becomes a smilie.

My Bay tree does not drop leaves. In time you will have a huge tree, so the suggestion of keeping it under control and shaped nicely will be to your advantage. I think I mentioned that our tree was beautiful until the day Gene decided to move the RV back several feet, and off came the entire 1/2 of that side of the tree. Thank goodness it is in the utility section of our yard, and no one but us sees the cut side.

Jenise, might some bay leaves hitch a ride with you on your way to Oregon next month?

[Jenise]

It's not the "8" alone; it's the "8" followed by the ")" that becomes a smilie.

True, when the two are stand-alone. Take the space in front of the eight away, and it's fine.

[Jenise]

Jenise, might some bay leaves hitch a ride with you on your way to Oregon next month?

They sure could. Want some fresh ones?

Jenise, might some bay leaves hitch a ride with you on your way to Oregon next month?

I was just going to say that having a friend with a bay tree is even better than having one yourself.

[Jenise]

Jenise, might some bay leaves hitch a ride with you on your way to Oregon next month?

I was just going to say that having a friend with a bay tree is even better than having one yourself.

Ever check out that spindly tree by the carport post in front of the Gav? That's a bay leaf. I have a feeling it's spindly because it gives often to the culinaria occuring upstairs.

Not sure I like the possible lead content from a tree growing on a city street.....lead in your pencil is one thing, but in your blood stream it can be a bad thing - just ask any citizen of the Roman republic. Oh yeah - there aren't any. Plumbism doesn't refer to guys with wrenches and droopy pants.

Before you rightly point out that lead in fuel hasn't been an issue for 30 years, I believe that the lead that got there stays there for decades (I'm sure Mark Lipton will correct that if it isn't true).

Maybe I am being overly cautious, but hey - my body is a temple.....

[Jenise]

Not sure I like the possible lead content from a tree growing on a city street.....lead in your pencil is one thing, but in your blood stream it can be a bad thing - just ask any citizen of the Roman republic. Oh yeah - there aren't any. Plumbism doesn't refer to guys with wrenches and droopy pants.

Before you rightly point out that lead in fuel hasn't been an issue for 30 years, I believe that the lead that got there stays there for decades (I'm sure Mark Lipton will correct that if it isn't true).

Maybe I am being overly cautious, but hey - my body is a temple.....

I just wonder if the cooks at the Gav are as cautious as you are.

Not sure I like the possible lead content from a tree growing on a city street

Wrong Mark but I'll take a stab at this. Generally, plants aren't known known to take up lead in significant amounts from contaminated soil and so lead in plant leaves and fruit isn't likely to be a problem. Even when leaded gasoline/petrol was in use decades ago and atmospheric lead concentrations were high, the main concern would have been lead settling on the surface of, say, a bay leaf. That would have been easily solved by washing. So I'd guess you wouldn't have much to worry about by using bay leaves from an urban tree. There's nothing wrong with caution, though.

Jenise, might some bay leaves hitch a ride with you on your way to Oregon next month?

They sure could. Want some fresh ones?

Why, yes, I believe I would. Thanks!

My bay leaf tree is in its third year now and, I realized today, is actually about three inches taller than I am and I'm not short. I am a proud bay leaf mommy! In fact, I've topped it to keep it from growing any taller because I want a shrub, not a tree. From about 15" to this is in so little time is much better than I expected, especially for a plant touted as 'tender'.

Anyway, I avoided picking the first year but last year it met my needs and this year I could liberally help myself. But I've played this whole thing by ear and what I don't know is how long the leaves stay on the tree. The leaves I'm referring to are the ones that grew last summer are now dark, spicy and thick. Those are the ones best for using now--I'll call those the 'ripe' leaves. At what point will I lose the ripe leaves if I don't pick them? If they were to turn yellow and drop off this fall, I'd harvest and dry them for winter use before that could happen.

I appreciate any advice!

Jenise,

at least for my tree in Bothell the leaves are "evergreen" and I only have a very small percentage of the leaves turn brown and drop. I just pick them through the whole year and if I lose some along the way, c'est la vie. I usually trim/prune my tree in early september, like you I want to control the growth, I dry the trimmings and usually have plenty for use all fall, winter, and spring when I don't want to go outside for fresh. My tree is planted in the ground, I lost my previous tree when it was in a large pot and we had that nasty winter a few years back. If you have a pot you might want to protect it in case of a nasty NW winter.


-mike

[Jenise]

Jenise,

at least for my tree in Bothell the leaves are "evergreen" and I only have a very small percentage of the leaves turn brown and drop. I just pick them through the whole year and if I lose some along the way, c'est la vie. I usually trim/prune my tree in early september, like you I want to control the growth, I dry the trimmings and usually have plenty for use all fall, winter, and spring when I don't want to go outside for fresh. My tree is planted in the ground, I lost my previous tree when it was in a large pot and we had that nasty winter a few years back. If you have a pot you might want to protect it in case of a nasty NW winter.


-mike

Mike, thanks for the additional data points. Mine's already in the ground so no worries on that score, and he seems happy facing south on the north side of my house, protected by the house itself against the big storms that come from the south and up against a fence for protection from the nor'easters that occasionally blast down from BC. Hope that's enough if we have another nasty winter cuz I don't have any spot that's better. And it would probably mean I'd lose my grapes, too. ARGH.

he seems happy facing south on the north side of my house, protected by the house itself against the big storms that come from the south and up against a fence for protection from the nor'easters that occasionally blast down from BC. Hope that's enough if we have another nasty winter cuz I don't have any spot that's better. And it would probably mean I'd lose my grapes, too. ARGH.

Hey, don't be blaming BC for your crop failures!

FYI, overhead cover is important in protecting tender plants. Up against the fence is a good start, and one has to consider air flow (planting in depressions where the stagnant air that collects in the depression is far colder than the same air flowing down an incline). But planting under something that gives some shelter in winter (i.e. an evergreen tree) will be equivalent of several degrees warmer for the subject plant.

Can't wait for you plant to get producing so I can sample your famous recipe for Bay Leaf's Irish Cream.......

[Jenise]

Hey, don't be blaming BC for your crop failures!

I haven't yet, but there's always next year.

FYI, overhead cover is important in protecting tender plants. Up against the fence is a good start, and one has to consider air flow (planting in depressions where the stagnant air that collects in the depression is far colder than the same air flowing down an incline).

That's why I'm not going to let it grow taller than the fence.

But planting under something that gives some shelter in winter (i.e. an evergreen tree) will be equivalent of several degrees warmer for the subject plant.

There is an evergreen planted next to it as well as a new Emporer maple, but both are only a little taller than the bay leaf. All were planted at the same time and bay leaf grows 4X faster. It's also right next to the grape arbor which might also do some good--not sheilding so much but perhaps deflecting. Beats me: if we have a really bad winter I could lose them all.

Can't wait for you plant to get producing so I can sample your famous recipe for Bay Leaf's Irish Cream.......

While watching your favorite TV show, Rumpole of the Bay Leaf....