this is no help Traceybush, but exactly the same has happened to my bay tree this year. I have taken it out of the pot and put it in the ground, but who knows if it will help! All the articles you read about bay trees refer to them as o.k. in pots. I will watch any responses you get with interest.

dear junie
Thanks for your reply, it makes me feel better, that someone is going through the same.
Even though we don't have a solution, someone will come up with something for us.
Good luck Junie x

Actually, Tracie and Junie, the reports that I have been seeing indicate that this last winter was even colder than the previous one, killing many plants that had survived before.

Hi Tracey, just read your comment about your bay tree. I grew one in the garden which grew so vigourously we had to get rid of it, I now have one pot grown, and at the moment is doing ok. It has had a few brown leaves, but I just cut them off. Earlier I was reading a blog by Hijuju, she said someone had emailed Alan Titchmarsh on his show last monday, and he said to cut the brown off it and you should get new growth appearing by the summer I think he said. You can check her blog or have a look at his show on demand tv. hope I've helped.

hi tracey, it's me again. just checked hijuju blog, and it was last friday that it was on alan titchmarshes show.

I have ( had ) two bay trees ( as tall as me) in pots for over 10 years and now they are brown all over and looking dead,-- they survived a lot of cold and wind but last year was a bad january and december-- I think that despite me looking after them in the summer they just couldn't take it.... :o(

Hi Tracey, after reading all your responses I am going to take the brown/wilted leaves off, and just see what happens. Have you decided how to treat yours yet? Have a good weekend