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Pest and Disease of Bay Laurel Tree
(page 4)

Bay Laurel is normally a healthy plant suffering from few pests and diseases.

When grown in pots though, they often suffer from an irregular water supply. Keeping them regularly watered is especially important in dry conditions. Browning leaves are often a sign of lack of water.

Bay trees can also be affected by hard frosts when they are grown in pots. The best plan is to move them near the house in winter. The house walls will lessen the effect of frost and protect them from harsh winds.

BAY SUCKER
The technical term is trioza alacris, the common name is jumping plant lice (or louse)! The first signs are of leaves curling around the margins. Parts of the affected leaves then turn yellow. Finally the leaves will turn brown at the edges. The leaves finally fall off. This is often not fatal to the bay tree but it certainly weakens the tree leaving it open to other pests and diseases.

The best treatment for Bay Sucker is to keep an eye out for signs of damage so that it can be treated early on. Look out for those yellowing leaves which will also be thicker than normal where affected. When they are noticed, pick them off and burn them. Spray the under sides of all leaves with a very diluted washing up liquid solution.

If the damage is more severe you need to understand the cause. The bay sucker is a tiny insect about 2mm long which over-winters in nooks and crannies, often in the soil surrounding your bay tree. Breaking up the surface of the very top of the soil surrounding the plant to a fine tilth will help expose the pests, especially in the winter.

In mid April the first generation of Bay Suckers will appear and these will feed on the sap of your bay tree. They then lay even smaller eggs on the underside of the leaves, almost invisible to the naked eye. They can often be seen more clearly through a magnifying glass. These eggs also feed on the sap increasing the damage. They multiply quickly and often three generations worth can be seen on badly affected plants.

One pesticide works reasonably well if applied early on, it is thiacloprid. Have a look on the internet for products which contain this pesticide. be aware though, that this is a systemic pesticide and it will therefore remain present in the leaves for a couple of weeks (consult the package instructions). The leaves should not be used whilst the pesticide remains.

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Pest and Disease of Bay Laurel Tree (page 4)

Pest and Disease of Bay Laurel Tree
(page 4)