Bay Tree -Insect friendly?

[nightshade]

I have a Bay tree it was around fifteen feet tall
and stole the light last thing on an evening
I decided to cut it down but relented and settled
for a trim
It is nearly back to its full glory but I have never
seen a bird or bug in it or on it, and there are other
trees I would rather have (oh there are scale insect on the trunk)
The leaves are culinary,but is this its only claim,shall I replace it?

[smartie]

I've a small bush I keep for culinary purposes, and like you I've never seen any insect on it other than a few scale insects. Since the leaves can be used as an insect repellant, this is perhaps not surprising

I don't think it gets many wildlife merit points.

[Kayleigh]

That's rubbish about a bay being an insect repellent. I have two 12 ft Bays one male one female. We get black berries on the female that the blackbirds and Thrushes love, they jump up to get one. The sparrows and Blue tits eat insects and caterpillars off the leaves and the wasps also hunt insects, oh and the bees go on them when they are in flower.
I love my Bays I wouldn't be without them.
Nightshade maybe you need to find out if you have a male of female and get another one to pollinate it.

[aeshna5]

I used to have responsibility for a large Bay + though I'd seen birds in it , I would say it's not particularly good for wildlife- certainly few insects seem to feed on the foliage, most of the leaves are totally intact- certainly not heaving with caterpillars.

Obviously if there are berries, birds will feed on them, but if attracting wildlife is the priority I'd give it the chop + replace with something more wildlife-friendly!

[honeybee]

Have a small one in a pot giving the bird table shelter, don't see much sign of life on it except the birds perch in it.

[Tursiops2]

We had a Bay tree by the back door when I was a kid, about the same size as nightshade's. Blackbirds nested in it every year, and it played host to a large population of spiders.
T2

[smartie]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

That's rubbish about a bay being an insect repellent.

Errrr - no it isn't. There is lots of evidence of bay leaves being used for this purpose in many parts of the world. Just Google on "lauris nobilis insect repellant" to see some of the research papers

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by smartie

Errrr - no it isn't. There is lots of evidence of bay leaves being used for this purpose in many parts of the world. Just Google on "lauris nobilis insect repellant" to see some of the research papers

Well something is taking big chunks out of my leaves. There are caterpillar/bug things that curl up the leaves... They must have taken a liking to the taste.

[wyevilla]

It is of course a non-native (I think it originates from the mediterranean) so it is bound to be only of marginal interest to our native fauna. However, with climate change, this could of course alter...

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by wyevilla

It is of course a non-native (I think it originates from the mediterranean) so it is bound to be only of marginal interest to our native fauna. However, with climate change, this could of course alter...

Most of the herbs are non native but lots of insects like them. You may be right about the climate change I know we get ladybirds on the bay I think they overwinter on it. They certainly eat the aphids that are on them.
Don't forget mine are fertile as there is a male and female this must make a difference to the insects. They also grow like weeds we have to go around pulling them up where we don't want them to grow. Friends and family are happy though.