Bay Leaf Trees

Probably about in 1985, I bought a bay leaf tree. The name of it is “laurus nobilis” and I’ve always heard it called “bay laurel”. I kept my bay leaf tree in a pot and repotted it every few years so it had grown quite tall and was in a pretty big pot. When we lived in Kentucky, I forgot to bring it in one cold night and it froze. I was so sad because I loved having that tree and loved having home grown, pungent bay leaves. They’re so much better than the dried ones I can buy. I grieved the loss of that bay leaf tree for years and have always been on the lookout for another one.

About four months ago, a friend in Louisiana was dividing some of his and offered to give them away about 10 little trees. I figured it would be too hard for him to ship them here so I promised myself I was going to find myself a new bay leaf tree. A friend here told me she thought one of the garden centers in Abilene had them.

Yesterday, we had passed that garden center on our way to eat lunch. I was asking Vince if we could please stop by there on the way back towards getting Rita so I could get a bay leaf tree. He suggested I call to make sure they have them so I did and they did. I had talked to a lady and she told me they were in 1 gallon pots and $16.99.

We got there and saw a man and he asked if he could help us. I said “We’re looking for a bay leaf tree.” He told us to walk into the “shade room” which was about half the size of a football field. We were wandering around like little lost sheep. There were three men working in there.

First man: Can I help you?
Me: We’re looking for a bay leaf tree.
First man: We don’t have those.
Me: I just called and the lady said you do.

First man called second man over.

First man to second man: She’s looking for a bay leaf tree.
Second man: We don’t have them!
Me: I just called and the lady said you do!
First man: Who is the “the lady”?
Me: The lady who answered the phone.
Second man: It’s just us.

I pulled out my phone, brought up the phone number, showed them the phone number.

Second man: That’s us!

Second man called third man over.

Second man: She’s looking for a bay leaf tree.
Third man: We don’t have them.
Me: I just called and the lady said you do!
Third man: We have sweet bay trees.
Me: I’ve always known them as bay laurel.
Third man: These are mountain laurel.
Me: I don’t think mountain laurel are edible.

At this point, I held my hand up like “STOP!” and redialed the number. The lady answered.

Me: I just called you about the bay leaf tree. I’m here . . towards the back . .  and no one can find them.
Lady: What room are you in?
Me: Shade room.
Lady: Who said we don’t have them?
Me: Three men!
Lady: See the log cabin?

I’m saying to the guys . . where’s the log cabin? They told me.

Me: Yes, I see the log cabin.

She told me to walk towards it and look to my left just before I get to it.

Found them! They are called sweet bay but it says laurus nobilis so the “bay” and “laurus” sounded enough like “bay laurel” that I googled it and found they were exactly what I was looking for.

Two little bay leaf trees. I will take good care of these little treasures. I will not let them freeze. Think how big my tree from KY would be if it had not frozen 20 years ago. Oh well . . can’t change history but I’m so glad to have these trees.

And, they were $12.99, not $16.99 so Vince felt like he was getting a bargain and he was very happy too.

Along with fertilizer, pre-emergent (which I’ve never used before and swore I’d never use but have to do something about the grass burrs), and the bay leaf trees, I just spent 3 months of my “garden supplies” budget. Bad Judy!