[MalcW]

Hi All,

Does anyone know what this tree is? It was in our garden as more of a shrub when we moved in a number of years ago, and is getting rather large. It's an evergreen, and I want to know a) what it is, and b) will it take some fairly heavy pruning to reduce its size and restore some shape. I don't want to end up with a big stick.

Many thanks.

[surbie100]

It looks very much like a bay to me, in which case, yes it'll take a radical haircut.

If others confirm - don't get rid of the branches, they smell gorgeous in a fire and you'll have enough leaves to keep you in soup/stock/stews for years!

[Springlands]

I would agree with Surbie - the leaves look just like my bay - only mine does not look as good as Malcs.

[Goosegirl]

It looks very much like a bay to me, in which case, yes it'll take a radical haircut.
If others confirm - don't get rid of the branches, they smell gorgeous in a fire and you'll have enough leaves to keep you in soup/stock/stews for years!

I agree with bay too, or certainly in that family. I have one that has done really well in my wind-swept garden but needs trimming back so, as we have an open fire, I know where the trimmings are going!