Q. I found your blog, Xtremehorticulture of the Desert,
and hoping you can tell me if my tree is a Bay Laurel or not. I looked at
pictures of Carolina Cherry trees that look similar. This tree has supports
which I know need to be removed at some point. The tree was planted by my
builder in February of last year.
 |
| Bay Laurel just after we pruned it |
A. Looks like Bay Laurel to me. Bay Laurel is a
Mediterranean tree and more tolerant of our desert climate than Carolina Cherry
Laurel. Carolina Cherry Laurel is native to the southeastern US and not
tolerant of desert conditions without proper site selection, soil preparation
and watering.
Mediterranean tree and more tolerant of our desert climate than Carolina Cherry
Laurel. Carolina Cherry Laurel is native to the southeastern US and not
tolerant of desert conditions without proper site selection, soil preparation
and watering.
 |
| Carolina cherry laurel is native to the SE United States so it struggles when planted in hot locations with inhospitable soil. This one is suffering from iron chlorosis. |
One easy
way to tell the difference is to crush the leaves and smell the herbal (Bay)
aroma. Bay Laurel leaves have a pungent
aroma. When you crush the leaves of Carolina Cherry Laurel they have an aroma
of maraschino cherries rather than herbal.
way to tell the difference is to crush the leaves and smell the herbal (Bay)
aroma. Bay Laurel leaves have a pungent
aroma. When you crush the leaves of Carolina Cherry Laurel they have an aroma
of maraschino cherries rather than herbal.
The
second way is to look for round “glands” at the base of the Carolina CherryLaurel leaf where the leaf is attached to the petiole (leaf stem). These “glands”
are characteristic of many plants in its genus (Prunus) like plums, cherry,
peach, etc.
second way is to look for round “glands” at the base of the Carolina CherryLaurel leaf where the leaf is attached to the petiole (leaf stem). These “glands”
are characteristic of many plants in its genus (Prunus) like plums, cherry,
peach, etc.
In 98%
of the cases, the “supports” or stakes should be removed after one growing
season. There are a few cases when the trees do not establish rapidly due to
grower mismanagement or poor planting practices and need support longer than
this.
of the cases, the “supports” or stakes should be removed after one growing
season. There are a few cases when the trees do not establish rapidly due to
grower mismanagement or poor planting practices and need support longer than
this.