I am very pleased though that I finally trimmed that tree. I think that I did it at the right time of year for my tree as it always seems to shoot out in the early spring.
The lower branch that I trimmed now has four shoots growing!
The upper branch that I trimmed now has five shoots!
The tree is definitely going to look much better. Now I'm thinking that I should have trimmed the other longer branch a bit. I'll trim that one next year.
That looks like a very happy tree!
ReplyDeleteThat looks very nice! I remember I had a small one outside and it looked dead by early spring and I pulled it. Later in Master Gardener class I learned that they do very well here and that they "often look like dead wood" but are indeed alive and well... oh I was so mad at myself LOL!
ReplyDeleteI think it looks awesome! At least you can grow indoor plants too! I just kill'em all!
ReplyDeleteGood job with all the grooming! Or is it pruning?
Sorry to hear that the trimmings did not root. I am loving your bay tree. I totally want one!
ReplyDeleteSorry the bay clippings failed to root, but glad to see so many shoots growing on the original plant.
ReplyDeleteDo you grow your bay plant as a houseplant? I never thought to do so, but would love to as I use dried bay leaves often in cooking.
Patricia, I try to keep it happy!
ReplyDeleteErin, I think that we have all pulled many plants that we thought were dead or weeds....I know I have!
APG, I have quite a few houseplants and I have killed a few this winter too!!
mimi, They are hard to find around here. If you see one, buy it.
Rachel, I take it outside in the summer and then bring it inside for the winter.
Well at least it looks like spring somewhere, even if it is IN your house. I love the shutters by the way.
ReplyDeleteJane, The sun is shining here today! It looks like spring outside...but I don't think that it feels like it right now 36F.
ReplyDeleteI love my shutters too! This house was built in 1928, Craftsman era. I don't have a single curtain in the house, just shutters.
I think our bay tree has had its chips!
ReplyDeleteThat tree is really a beautiful house plant and definitely appreciated the pruning from the looks of it.
ReplyDeleteRobin,
ReplyDeleteI'll try to send some heat your way. We had 90 the day before! All of my potted Romaine bolted in 2 days.
I have two bay laurels that I trimmed after I read your post about trimming yours. The trees are doing fine, although they haven't gotten any new shoots get (probably because they have been outside all winter)...I put the trimmed parts into some soil and have had them in my greenhouse...they are still looking ok...hope my trees get some new shoots soon...yours is looking so nice!
ReplyDeleteLaura, The tree really shot out last year and definitely needed a good pruning! I was a little hesitant to do it but very glad that I did.
ReplyDeleteVic, We had a nice warm day today...it was at least 60!!
Deb, I'm sure that your trees will shoot out soon. It's about the time of the year for them to do so. I hope that trimmed parts root for you...keep me updated
That looks like a lovely tree and I love your shutters!
ReplyDeleteI need to get one of these trees! Too bad window space is such a limited commodity these days.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm so glad I found you! I've got a baby bay tree in a pot that I purchased as a little seedling last summer. I pulled it inside for the winter and mostly ignored it. Now that it's spring, I've been watering it a bit more and it's rewarded me by putting out new green leaves at the top and 2 side shoots! But, it's the side shoots that have me stumped. What do I do with them? Do I let them be? Is this a part of the plant "filling out?" Or should I clip them off? or... Help! Any advice from one who's obviously been growing this plant for awhile is greatly appreciate.
ReplyDeleteThis, by the way, is a beautifully done blog and we will be visiting frequently. :)
~Angela w/ Devouring the Seasons
Hi Angela, Thanks for stopping by and following my blog. Leave the side shoots and all the new growth alone for now. The side shoots are definitely the plant filling out. Mine didn't get side shoots for several years....lucky you! When the weather gets warm, take it outside. I wouldn't trim it until the winter and only if it gets leggy. I will have stop over and take a look at your blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip! And please do stop by. Our blog is in its infancy right now, but it's the start of a project my partner and I are embarking on, and we're always happy for more visitors!
ReplyDeleteI stumbled upon this looking for pruning advice... and wondering where you are? Mine is outside... started as a baby, about 2 feet tall?, and now, 4 years later is over 12 feet tall and in desperate need of topping/pruning as it is soon going to hit power lines :(
ReplyDeleteHave any of you tried keeping it outside? I'm in north atlanta, so it is very warm in summer...
Tammy, I live in Pennsylvania in Zone 6b. Bay Laurel cannot survive in our climate outside. It is too cold in the winter. Good luck trimming your tree :)
ReplyDeleteWe are right in the middle of the 7a/7b boundry and it's not supposed to grow in my zone either! 'They' say zone 8 is pushing it. Mine started out very protected though... south side of house with a lot of wind protection from a wall... of course now it's so established if it didn't die this past winter, I doubt it will!
ReplyDeleteMy Aunt who lives in Belgium has several outside and is in a zone similar to yours...hers are protected from north wind though - south side of house close to house next to a fence... That's why I gave it a shot, I figured if they survive HER winters surely they can survive ours!
Maybe if you get a few cuttings to work you could try one outside?
I'm curious how your cutting go... I've thought about doing it but we have no basement or garage... so I'm not sure where I'd keep them.
Tammy, the cuttings did not survive. I have read that they really need a moist environment to root. I really didn't have the time or correct place to tend to them as they needed.
ReplyDeleteIf I had the space, I would try growing one outside here.