Keeping My Bay Laurel at Bay

 

Bay Laurel - After Three Years of Rehab

I've had this beautiful Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis) for many years and for the most part, I would be concerned about her height. 

She didn't need pruning often and this was a task I definitely enjoyed. The scent she emits is quite nice and I also had a Rosemary plant in this cool kettle pot just beneath her...olfactory bonus.

However; a few years ago, I realized it's spread (width) was more of a nuisance as it was not making taking the trash out so easy. I keep the trash and recycle bins to the right, hidden from the street by the fence and a Sasanqua. It was beginning to get difficult opening the bin lids.

I surveyed the Bay Laurel and realized it had three co-dominant stems. So, I removed the one closest to the issue, basically removing one third of the plant.

Bay Laurel - Halfway through Rehab

She was none too happy about this. She looked awkward, but I had a plan. I let her do what she wanted to do for a while and then pruned the new growth to promote future growth in a lateral fashion toward the area I had just eliminated. 

I couldn't have replaced the one co-dominant stem I removed, but I could definitely balance the plant over time.

I truly wasn't rehabbing the plant because of an issue she had (I've done so many times with other plants.). I basically caused the need for rehab by asking her to do something she did not want to - lose a third of her branch structure. 

I wanted to make her fit in the space to meet my desires so I must care for her in a different fashion until all looks well.

Bay Laurel - After 1/3 Reduction

I've pruned hundreds of plants with various objectives, but this is one of the most severe.

Some of the branches I have coaxed have now matured and are putting out new growth to complete her natural shape.

After another pruning in spring, she should be back to her natural shape and most future pruning should be for aesthetic and health reasons.

Patience is definitely a virtue.