Tuesday 20 March 2007

BAY TREE BOTHER


Hello.
Many leaves on my three-year-old bay tree have been turning first yellow, and then developing brown spots and patches. The new growth is green but does not stay green for long. The soil is quite heavy and waterlogged, especially over winter. I have dug it over and added some plant food - will this help? Can you tell me what the problem is? W.N. by e-mail

Reply.
This problem does sound a bit like you have a winter waterlogging problem, which will have killed off some of the roots resulting in the miserable appearance of the foliage. Feeding is unlikely to help unless you give it a foliar spray – that is to apply the feed through the leaves where it can bypass the damaged roots. Feeding in this way will also help to stimulate the production of more roots. If there is any risk of the plant becoming waterlogged again, I suggest you replant it in a new position. Bay trees seem to be able to withstand being moved but make sure you dig up a good-sized root ball.

Horticultural.

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