Texas Gardening: Dallas Help Needed - Hedge Plant or Small Tree, 0 by dmj1218

dmj1218 wrote:
Silver, the biggest garden mistake I ever made was planting a sweet bay too close to the house and the fence. Actually, an ex-husband put it there; I was getting it out of a pot I wanted for something else. I didn't say anything as it was a "twig" of 6"-8" and I figured it would freeze to death the first winter.

Grows great but don't plant it within 5'-6' of any structure--I'm still battling mine every year.
This is on the west side, very bad soil, never any supplemental water. I haven't figured out how to kill it or I would.

I thought he was looking for something small so not to interfere with powerlines.

This is a pitiful shot, but will give you an idea. The only reason its under control now and all cut back is all this fencing is soon to be replaced, and since I'm "free-lance" employed now; I had an entire afternoon to saw, and bind limbs into 4' sections for garbage collection. It's just about torn up the eaves of the house. I have to keep after it 3-4 times a year and it also branches out wide and almost blocks my neighbor's gate.

Just be careful WHERE you put it. I've resigned myself to the fact it will forever be a thorn in my gardening side. Sure wish I could find a source needing that many bay leaves.