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Bay Topiary

Ross.ssoRRoss.ssoR Posts: 22
in Plants
I have a multi-stem 9-10ft bay tree in my garden that I was thinking of pruning into a simple shape... maybe an obelisk or naturalistic form.

It was planted last year so is yet to properly establish itself and fill out so may hold of for a little while yet but does anybody have any experience of topiary pruning  a multi-stem Laurus nobilis?

Any tips much appreciated!

Posts

  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    I plaited the stems on mine when they were whippy and keep it in a rounded (ish) shape. It's over twenty years old and the stems have fused into a single trunk. I prune anything that emerges at ground level and pull the odd shoot off the trunk.
    I'm not sure if you would call it topiary though😊
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • mikejames2011mikejames2011 Posts: 39
    I have done this to quite a few bay trees over the years. They are quite easy to do, you can start by just clipping Lightly to get the overall shape you want and then leave it to fill out, most likely you’ll only need to trim once in the first year and maybe another quick tidy if any scraggly growth shoots out that is in the wrong place. I find they are quite forgiving, just make sure your pruners are sharp and your cuts are nice and clean. 

    A few photos of some I’ve worked on.

  • Ross.ssoRRoss.ssoR Posts: 22
    Thank you so much all for the feedback! Those topiary multi-stem bays have definitely inspired me.

    Going to let my bay fill out a bit more and then start pruning into a shape :) Will let you know how I get on! It's by a wildlife pond pond so I'm thinking a geometric obelisk to juxtapose the looseness of that... will see
  • gregor_gillandersgregor_gillanders Posts: 5
    Hello All,

    I hope you don't mind me jumping on your thread but I thought it might be better than starting a new one.

    I am looking to trim a large mature bay tree in my garden. I moved into the house last autumn and the bay tree was neat and tidy. Over the recent warm weather it has shot out very well.

    I want to trim it back to a neat ball but want to make sure I don't do the tree any damage or sit with an ugly tree through the summer till it grows back in.

    When is the best time to trim? Also what is the best method, as it is quite large would careful use of an electric hedge trimmer be suitable or are hand shears better. The section over the fence is towards the sun and has grown quite considerably over the neighbours garden, similar to the top.



    Thanks,

  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Secateurs is the only way.  Anything else is likely to cut the leaves and it will look awful. It's not like trinming privet.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
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