[sandygreen]

I put my bay tree in a protected alleyway at the end of the last year - it has reasonably good natural light through perspex.  I noticed the other day that it was not looking very happy so gave it a good soaking.  It has perked up but somehow still not brilliant.  Normally by now I would be putting it outside but with all the frost and possible snow still around am loathe to do this.

What should I do - brave it (well the bay tree will be braving it, I will be tucked up cosy inside) or leave it in the alleyway for a bit longer? I'm in Essex so  not as bad weatherwise as Scotland!

[Springlands]

My bay tree stays out all winter and has done for the 5 years that I have had and it positively thrives - and where I live can be very cold and windy.

I think part of the problem with your tree is that although it is getting light it is not natural light or it could just have needed watering because it was so protected .

Because it has been inside all winter I would keep it in until this bad spell has passed and then get it out into a sheltered spot.

[ilan]

Mine to has been out all winter and they are only seedlings in 3 ins pots 

[sandygreen]

I hope mine realises how lucky it is!  Thanks for your advice and maybe some tough love next winter but, as you say, keep it in until this next spell, which hopefully will be the last, and then chuck it outside.

[Salmo]

Many bay trees thrive planted in the ground but they do not like wet feet and every 15 years or so the frost gets them.

They usually thrive better in a pot but really need protection. The main danger is getting the pot frozen through.

If your tree is looking pale feed it.

[JayG]

My bay tree is 12 years old and is starting to look at little odd because its trunk is about 4" across but I keep it to only about 5' high and about 3' across.

It's in the ground which is well-drained - like most herbs bay doesn't like having wet feet for long periods of time, although obviously it won't appreciate being bone dry either, even in winter when it needs less water.

The only thing which sometimes seems to temporarily damage some of the leaves is cold winds, in my case easterlies because it's sheltered from northerlies. I believe that younger plants are a bit less hardy - in pots I'd mulch and probably try to insulate the pots from the worst of the frosts.

[Kleftiwallah]

I should inspect the leaves carefully for beasties!

Cheers,  Tony.