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Poorly Bay Tree

HeatherCGHeatherCG Posts: 8
in Problem solving
I’m hoping someone may be able to give me some guidance pls about one of my Bay Trees which looks really poorly :-( We have 3 bays about 1 metre apart and the one on the right has yellowing / browning leaves which are really dry.  The other two trees are fine however.  The poorly bay tree is snuggled next to a hydrangea and I’m wondering whether this may be causing a problem - might this be the cause?  Any suggestions about what I could do to remedy the problem would be much appreciated as am a complete novice! Thanks in advance. Heather

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  • HeatherCGHeatherCG Posts: 8

  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    It's hard to be sure without seeing more pictures taken of the border and what other plants surround them.

    Young shrubs need a bit of protection from cold winds and the soil needs to be reasonably free draining until they mature. They will not like any heavy shade, especially from overhanging tall trees/shrubs.

    Those leaves will not recover, so do prune them out. My guess would be wind damage. Make sure your shrubs are planted in a protected environment, preferably against a warm wall or shrub with a southerly aspect to get maximum sun. 
  • Jess is in the GardenJess is in the Garden Posts: 1,022
    Agree with Borderline.
    For what it's worth, bays are very tough and will send up new shoots from the base throughout a season (which many people remove if they want to keep the lollipop shape look).  Vigorous!
    So if you cut them back they'll recover very fast so long as other conditions are ok.
    Are they in a shallow border? I can't tell from photos. But I got vine weevil in a shallow border and the grubs managed to kill a shrub I had in there, before I realised what was going on. Worth checking for grubs in the soil when you're digging over.
  • HeatherCGHeatherCG Posts: 8
    Thanks for your thoughts. Here is where the bays are planted and the poorly one is the one in the right.  The hydrangea is the dark plant in the corner.  I think last year’s cold weather didn’t do the bays any favours and wonder whether the peeling bark on all of them is as a result of that as well :-(. They should be quite well protected from wind there but interestingly the poorly one is the one that gets the most sun so perhaps it’s been ‘over exposed’? 
    If I prune the dead leaves I don’t think I there’ll be anything left on the tree - have I left it too late? :-( 
  • ElizaRoseElizaRose Posts: 121
    Try Vitax Premium Q4 soluble plant feed. Our garden centre recommended it for a poorly Olive tree we had and it did wonders. I have the pellets now, but I prefer the soluble one. It's in a green box. 
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    edited April 2019
    I did wonder if the poorly one was in a more exposed position but it doesn't look like it from the second pic.  It is fairly close to a tree and a climber (honeysuckle?) over the back fence and a large forsythia next door, so it'll be competing with those for water and nutrients.  I don't think the little hydrangea can be blamed  :) . Keep it well watered through the summer, try a feed and cut back the dead bits to live wood when  you're past the last hard frost in your area.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    edited April 2019
    I'm surprised the shrub on the right gets the most sun. There looks to be what I think a Forsythia shrub over hanging it, and I'm sure into the summer months, it will flopping over a bit. You will need to prune it back because the leaves will not rejuvenate. The shrub will look bare for a while, but if it recovers, it will be better than now.
  • HeatherCGHeatherCG Posts: 8
    Thank you all so much for sharing your thoughts - all super helpful! Will try all of your suggestions out and keep my fingers crossed that the bay recovers. Heather 
  • Lily PillyLily Pilly Posts: 3,845
    Never give up on a bay, they always come back. When mine get unsightly I give them a good prune and feed and hide them in a corner if th garden they are not seen until they recover
    Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”
    A A Milne
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