Laurel reduction

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Fat Controller, May 19, 2019.

  1. Sian in Belgium

    Sian in Belgium Total Gardener

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    Sounds like you have A Cunning Plan - and it doesn’t involve any turnips!!
     
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    • shiney

      shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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      A word of warning. Never put laurel leaves in your compost if you only intend the heap to be short term. The toxic oils in it won't have time to break down properly. Laurel is OK if put in a compost heap that will rot down fully.

      If intending to burn the leaves then be aware that they go off like a rocket. Light blue touch paper and stand back. :heehee:
       
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      • Mike Allen

        Mike Allen Total Gardener

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        Laurals. Which might you be talking about?
         
      • shiney

        shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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        @Mike Allen Sorry, I don't understand the question :noidea:. Have you seen the picture in post 1?
         
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        • Fat Controller

          Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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          A big one - too big.

          Not sure of the exact variety to be honest, but I believe it to be a cherry laurel as it has only just recently finished flowering (white upright flower spikes)
           
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          • anth85

            anth85 Gardener

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            I have one like that overlooking my back garden. It's in the garden of the house behind mine and it's huge. Definitely bigger than yours i wish they'd trim it down but they just don't seem bothered
             
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            • Alisa

              Alisa Super Gardener

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              We moved in a house with enormous cherry laurels behind the shed last year. We needed gardener to come to reduce them properly. Looking at picture I wouldn't go neither by red nor blue line. I would leave just a trunk or 2-3, depending on what's inside, on manageable height to ease pruning later. Here are crazy ours, they were made completely naked :) in November: IMG_20190523_194346216.jpg
               
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