Is my bay plant dead?

frivolous_fay

I stupidly let a bay tree dry out in our heated house over Winter, and now it's looking really sorry for itself. It's now outside and I've been desperately chucking water on it.

Is there a way to tell if it's fully dead or not?

kimmee

I think that for any shrub or tree the way to tell if it's dead or not is to scrape a bit of branch and see if it's green or white underneath the 'bark'. If it's dead it will be brown and look dry and brittle. I've got a massive bay tree in my garden (it's planted in the ground) and never do anything to it apart from the odd trim - my auntie planted it years ago when she lived here and she planted it whenit was very little, I don't think you have to bring them in in the winter - tho I could be wrong if it's a young 'un. Mine must be about 20 years old.

Money_maker

If it does look alive under the 'bark' then fill an oversized bucket with water and plunge the pot in keeping it underwater until all the airbubbles have stopped and the plant is saturated. Then let it drain. This is the quickest way to ensure it has plenty of water.

ALIBOBSY

Our bay just sits in the garden all year around, just needs a bit of a trim once a year to keep it tidy.
I would give it a chance as some plants can look really dead but come back. Keep it watered, but not drowned and let it sit in the open air for a few weeks to see.

ali x

frivolous_fay

We bought it in December and they wrapped it in Christmas paper so I thought it would be a nice thing to have in the house


I'll try scraping it and more water if necessary, thanks

alfred64

If it has been in a pot, indoors, in heated house throughout winter, unwatered, my diagnosis = Dead.