Planting new bay tree

jordan_searle

Hi all,

Last year, our bay tree started to deteriorate and despite some helpful tips from the forum, it never repaired and is now definitely unsaveable! Looking to replant a new one directly into the ground but wanted to seek advice on how to plant a fully grown bay tree (will be purchasing from a local garden centre). As I’m taking out an old bay tree, how would you fertilise the soil to ensure it doesn’t suffer the same way?

The previous bay tree survived a good few years. 

Thanks

B3

First you need to establish why the first one died . What is under the stones? Is that concrete to the right? That hedge around it would be taking all of the moisture. 

jordan_searle

Thanks for coming back on this. Picture attached that shows the ground under the stones. There is a healthy shoot growing from the ground in the 2nd photo. The concrete to the right is a single paving slab. 

B3

Has the hedge been there for as long as the bay tree?

jordan_searle

Yes, been there since we moved in a few years ago.

B3

It's a bit of a mystery why it upped and died then😊
I really wouldn't get one that's too mature.  Improve the soil and get a youngish one that can establish itself  and keep it well-watered.. They grow quite quickly when they're happy. I have to prune mine about three times a year.

jordan_searle

Thanks for the help - much appreciated. Any advice on improving the soil ahead of planting it?

B3

Have a look at the RHS website for more advice about soil etc.
 It's about 25 years since I planted mine so I don't remember. It was multi stemmed so I removed the lower leaves and plaited the stems to make a standard. Over the years, the stems fused to make one trunk. It was a slow process.You might not want to wait that long!

Dovefromabove

I think that in that situation I’d replace the dead bay with one in a large terracotta pot standing in the hedge circle. Planted in a mix of 3 parts John Innes No 3 and 1 part horticultural grit, I think it’ll be easier to monitor the soil conditions and amount of watering needed. 

Bay needs quite a lot of regular watering in the spring and summer, but it hates standing in the wet so a pot would enable the good drainage it needs. 

TheNoviceGardener

I planted my bay tree about 10 years ago.

After digging the hole I put a bucket of grit in the hole.

Apart from giving it a watering can of diluted as normal tomato feed I do not feed or water it at all.

i also shape it hard about 3 times a year to maintain a lollypop shape.

It is in a south facing garden.

Currently dark so cannot take a picture but one of the healthiest plants in my garden.

B3

Three times a year seems the norm @TheNoviceGardener😊