Iso bay leaves

[Katya]

Dear gardening friends and I specifically mean those in California and Oregon,
I am looking for somebody who is able to help me with fresh bay leaves. My use for them is not "food" so they needn't be certified as food. But they must be fresh leaves from a real tree. Dry leaves from a grocery store won't do. Fresh leaves seen sometimes at exorbitant prices at grocery stores could work except I need a lot of them which makes a purchase prohibitive. What I am trying to locate is somebody who has a tree and wouldn't mind cutting some branches for me and mailing them. I know that those trees grow very well in mild climates. Just to make sure, I am looking for leaves of bay tree - Laurus nobilis, not anything called laurel in this country. However, there is a native Californian tree called wild bay which would also serve my purpose - this one http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umbellularia . This tree grows wild on the West Coast and it is possible somebody has it growing on the premises. I would greatly appreciate any information and I am willing to discuss the conditions. Thank you very much.

[rainbowgardener]

Hi and welcome to the forum!

You said non-food usage, so what are you planning to do with them? They make lovely ornamental wreaths, especially if you have some berries, flowers, nuts, etc to put with them


http://www.binbin.net/photos/generic/56 ... lights.jpg

Wiccans often use them in rituals. They can be used for incense and as an ingredient in potpourri.

They are also known as good insect repellant: put some in canisters of flour, pasta, etc to keep insects away or in corners of your kitchen cabinet. Grind them in to powder and sprinkle where ever you are having trouble with ants.

If you are using them to make something to sell, you might just have to break down and buy them. I looked around and found 1 lb of bay leaves (50 cups, they are light) for as little as $6. This place:

http://www.myspicer.com/shop/bay-leaves-whole/

sells them in bulk quantities up to 25 pounds (about 78 gallons, that ought to last you for awhile!!)

[Katya]

Thank you very much for answering. We need them here for a traditional ceremony which is part of the Holy Week. We are looking specifically for fresh ones, off a live tree, so I am afraid the "bulk" link is of no use. I wonder if wiccans need fresh leaves for what they do... Thank you anyway.