[jaycee]

Not sure if this is the correct place to post this question...do use the leaves in cookery.

My bay tree that I have had many years and have trained into a nice big mop head has, this past year ,started sending suckers up from the base,.
Do I just cut these off?
It is grown outdoors

P S  I know it`s due for another trim!

[gobs]

My bay tree never sent any suckers, isn't that a laurel? In the picture anyhow the leaves seem very large.

In any case, if you don't want them, dig them up.

[jaycee]

Most definately a bay tree Gobs. It must be the Highland soil that has helped it along. Lived in Lancs in a previous life and used to lose a bay tree every few years due to low winter temps. We get very few frosts here and it seems to thrive outside without any winter protection. It`s been in about 15years and this is the first time I have had the suckers appear.
Wonder if you can do anything with the suckers once dug up.
I use the bay leaves in a lot of cookery dishes (laurel would be very bitter!)

[purplebean]

My bay in a pot put up some suckers last year. When I repotted I took them all off and potted them on, they all seem to be growing.

[gobs]

This is mine with flower buds.

[jaycee]

My bay in a pot put up some suckers last year. When I repotted I took them all off and potted them on, they all seem to be growing.

OK that`s what I shall try when I cut them off.  I did stick a couple of cutting in the garden and they are showing signs that they have taken,

Nice photo gobs.

[gobs]

Oh, thanks, I love flowers and buds in the cold, cheer you up a bit.

[Fat Hen]

I use the bay leaves in a lot of cookery dishes (laurel would be very bitter!)

And rather poisonous, when laurel leaves are crushed they release hydrogen cyanide.