Common Name: Bay Tree

General Information

Laurus nobilis is an evergreen tree branching freely from low-down and usually forming a dense, pyramidal crown; it usually grows around 6 - 12 metres tall, sometimes reaching 18 metres[].
A well-known and popular food flavouring, the bay tree also has a wide range of medicinal and other uses. It is very commonly grown as an ornamental, where it can be used to form a dense hedge. It is mainly harvested from the wild, though it is also cultivated as a food flavouring in some countries.
Laurus nobilis has a wide distribution, a presumed large overall population, it occurs in a number of protected areas, and is unlikely to be declining fast enough or across enough of its range to qualify for listing in a more threatened category. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2018)[].
The plant is widely grown as an ornamental and food flavouring. It has escaped from cultivation and become naturalised in several areas including parts of western Europe, the Caucasus, Korea and Vietnam.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Mediterranean - almost throughout the Mediterranean region, though absent from Egypt and introduced into Spain and Portugal

Habitat

Damp rocks and ravines, thickets and old walls[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	8.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Bees
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Laurus nobilis is a plant of Mediterranean climates, though it is quite adaptable to a range of climates and has been cultivated successfully from warmer areas of the temperate zone to the tropical regions. In the tropics it is generally most successful in drier regions and at moderate to higher elevations. The plant grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 17 - 25°c, but can tolerate 8 - 30°c[]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -5°c with occasional short-lived lows to -15°c, although young growth can be severely damaged at -1°c[]. (Laurus nobilis angustifolia (Syn 'Salicifolia') is somewhat hardier than the species and has the same aromatic qualities[]). The plant prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 600 - 1,000mm, but tolerates 300 - 2,200mm[].
Prefers a position in full sun but succeeds in light shade and even in fairly dense shade[, ]. Succeeds in any soil of moderate fertility[], preferring a moisture retentive well-drained fertile soil[]. Succeeds in dry soils. Plants are fairly wind hardy, but they do not like extreme maritime exposure[] or cold dry winds[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6.5, tolerating 4.5 - 8.2[].
Some named forms exist[].
When bruised, the leaves release a sweet aromatic scent[].
The tree is highly resistant to pests and diseases[, ] and is also notably resistant to honey fungus[].
This species has been held in high esteem since ancient times[]. It was dedicated to Apollo, the god of light and was also used as a symbol of peace and victory[]. It was used to make wreaths for emperors, generals and poets[, , ].
A dioecious species - both male and female forms must be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

Leaves - fresh or dried[]. A spicy, aromatic flavouring, bay leaves are commonly used as a flavouring for soups, stews etc[, , , , ] and form an essential ingredient of the herb mix 'Bouquet Garni'[, ]. The leaves can be used fresh or are harvested in the summer and dried. The flavour of freshly dried, crushed or shredded leaves is stronger than fresh leaves, but the leaves should not be stored for longer than a year since they will then lose their flavour[].
The dried leaves are brewed into a herbal tea[].

The dried fruit is used as a flavouring[, , ].

An essential oil obtained from the leaves is used as a food flavouring[]. Yields can vary from 1 - 3% oil[].

Medicinal

The bay tree has a long history of folk use in the treatment of many ailments, particularly as an aid to digestion and in the treatment of bronchitis and influenza[]. It has also been used to treat various types of cancer[]. The fruits and leaves are not usually administered internally, other than as a stimulant in veterinary practice, but were formerly employed in the treatment of hysteria, amenorrhoea, flatulent colic etc[]. Another report says that the leaves are used mainly to treat upper respiratory tract disorders and to ease arthritic aches and pains[]. It is settling to the stomach and has a tonic effect, stimulating the appetite and the secretion of digestive juices[].

The leaves are antiseptic, aromatic, astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, emetic in large doses, emmenagogue, narcotic, parasiticide, stimulant and stomachic[, , , , ].

The fruit is antiseptic, aromatic, digestive, narcotic and stimulant[]. An infusion has been used to improve the appetite and as an emmenagogue[]. The fruit has also been used in making carminative medicines and was used in the past to promote abortion[].

A fixed oil from the fruit is used externally to treat furuncles, sprains, bruises, rheumatism etc, and is sometimes used as ear drops to relieve pain[, ].

The essential oil from the leaves has narcotic, antibacterial and fungicidal properties[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is highly resistant to pests and diseases, it is said to protect neighbouring plants from insect and health problems[].
Very tolerant of clipping[, ], the plant can be grown as a screen or hedge in areas suited to its outdoor cultivation[, ].

Other Uses

An essential oil from the fruit is used in soap making and perfumery[, , , ].

The leaves are highly aromatic and can be used as an insect repellent, the dried leaves protect stored grain, beans etc from weevils[]. It is also used as a strewing herb because of its aromatic smell and antiseptic properties[].

Wood - sweetly-scented, does not wear quickly. Used for marqueterie work, walking sticks and friction sticks for making fires[, ].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in early autumn in a greenhouse[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first year. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer and give them some protection from the cold for at least their first winter outdoors[].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame. Can take 6 months[, ].
Cuttings of mature side shoots, 10 - 12cm with a heel, late autumn in a cold frame. Leave for 18 months. High percentage[].
Layering.