Bay Tree (Laurus nobilis) Leaf Browning in a Pot: Seek a Tree Specialist

A UK gardener has a 2-3 year old potted bay tree with brown patches on upper leaves. Asks if it needs feeding.

Expert's Limitation

The responding expert specializes in low-maintenance perennials and bulbs (zone 6), not trees or Mediterranean plants.

Consult a tree/woody plant specialist via gardening panels or local arboretum.
Check for: over/under watering, salt buildup from fertilizer, spider mites, scale, bay sucker (psyllid), root bound, winter cold damage.
Bay trees in pots need: well-draining soil, consistent moisture (not soggy), shelter from harsh wind/sun, occasional balanced feed.

Search "bay tree brown leaves" on RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) or similar UK gardening sites for targeted advice.

Perennials: Bay Laurel Cottony Scale: Soil Drench Imidacloprid; Magnolia vs. Bay Tree: What's the Difference?; Bay Tree in Pot: Brown Leaf Patches; Treating Sooty Mold and Scale on Bay Laurel; Bay Laurel New Shoots Turning Black: Soil, Water, Root Check; Reviving a 12-Year-Old Potted Bay Laurel: Root Pruning, Repotting, and Care; Rose Tree Winter Protection in Iowa Zone 5: Trunk Insulation Method; Tree Ferns After a Harsh UK Winter: Assessing Survival and Future Protection; Bay Tree Leaf Rollers: Cosmetic Pest, Treat Next Spring; Transplanting a Bay Tree Successfully

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