Bay tree

bouicca21

Less than or about 2 metres from my building there is a bay tree. It was quite small when I moved in ten or so years ago, but since I have been here it has shot up so the top of the tree now reaches the bottom of the third storey. The growth is all in the height, it hasn’t bushed out.

It’s my responsibility as it is in my garden. Should I be worried about possible damage to the foundations? Is there anything I can or ought to do to keep it under control?

It’s a nice tree, I like being able to pick fresh bay leaves. I’d rather not do anything but if I need to, I will.

-taff

You can pretty much do what you like to a bay tree and it will grow back, so if you need to chop it, you can.

If you cut the top off, it will bush out, so it's up to you really. You can cut it down to s stump and it will still grow back.

If you like it tall, keep it tall, if you want it shorter and bushier, just do a bit of pruning.

If it's not causing any problems, leave it alone. But if there's a chance you won't be able to reach any leaves before long, take some proactive action.

Farway

To answer the will it Damage part, YES is the quick & dirty answer

just load question into Gemini AI for full answer, but advice is keep it more of a bush than a tree

Sapindus

Buy a new one and plant it further from the house or in a pot. They are a bit pricey for larger specimens but I think they are good value for money as buying bay leaves in a jar is also expensive "per serving". You don't need a fancily pruned one.

Even if you cut it right down to bush size, it's still going to have extensive roots from when it was a tree.

twopenny

It's debatable. My great aunt and he r parents before her has a huge bay tree very close to the house and in the 100yrs it did no damage.

I had one for 50yrs at the back of my 1920s house and no damage. I had it cut down to about 6ft just because my neighbour was seriously ill and it bothered him, no reason. I loved having it right outside the bedroom window.

From there I kept it that height by annual trimming. The wood is soft so it's easy and pleasant to do.

Hefty type trees , well I've had them close too with no building damage.

I think it's a case of keeping a general eye but if it's got to that size with no problem you're ok.

Mature bay throws out seeds that germinate well in the garden. You may find some seedlings that you could pot up 😉 the branches root easily if stuck in the ground in autumn.