Hi Sharon, thanks for another most informative article! I was given my first bay tree 40 years ago by a neighbour, and I've been pulling them out ever since! The birds spread the seeds and they grow madly in my garden here near Rome, Italy. For quite a while I had too much to do and didn't notice them till they were to big to pull out, and difficult to dig out. So now it's a question of "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!" I've pruned some to form a background hedge or to a decorative shape, and the few I've potted are going to replace my dying Leylandii hedge. In the Landriana Gardens where I am a guide for English-speaking visitors, there is a very nice formal garden with low pruned hedgess of bay, it has become very dense over the years with the continual pruning. So you see it's a plant I am very familiar with, and despite its popping up everywhere I bear it no ill-will, and of course I use it in the kitchen! All the best as ever Sharon, hope your winter is kind to you and your garden, Sue Webster
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