Bay Tree

[greenrook]

Hello All,
I have a bay tree, about 5 feet tall, in a pot on the deck. It's been in the pot about 3 years and seemed happy until recently. Now it has a lot of brown discoloration on its leaves, these patches of brown are brittle, as if they've been burnt, and they crumble in your fingers. The other leaves seem a bit paler than they used to be too. I will appreciate all and any suggestions, and I thank you.

[Buenchico]

The RHHS website has loads of information about the care of bay trees, including "repot bay every two years in spring". So re-potting it might be a good first step:
http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=251

[greenrook]

Good evening Buenchico,
thanks for that, I extricated the little tree from its pot, after a lot of swearing, and it is indeed pot-bound, poor little ***, we wouldn't have guessed. So we have done a bit of root-pruning and repotted it in good compost, and I'm sure all will be well now.
Thanks for your help...-G-

[DaisyNonna]

Should In repot my olive or try to find somewhere to put it in the ground? Heavy clay soil.

[Buenchico]

Thanks for your reply, Greenrook.

Daisy:
Here's what the RHS has to say about the care of olive trees:
http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=138

[AB Editor]

We got an answer on Facebook:

"Needs re potting if you decide to do loosen the root ball at the edges so it takes to the soil and water regular,but you need to do itpretty quick as it will die if you dont! Try adding some long lasting fertiliser to the compost to last you all through the summer and it will give it that extra boost."

https://www.facebook.com/AnswerBank/posts/803091766368120?comment_id=803115933032370&offset=0&total_comments=1