bay leaf tree

[sylvia lamont]

Hi
Can anyone help I have what I think is a bay leaf tree on my garden, however it has no taste or smell. Is there anyway to tell before I start adding it to my food?

[rainbowgardener]

If it has no taste and smell, it is not bay leaf!

If you post a picture of it, someone will be able to identify what kind of tree you have.

[thurkun]

There are many things that look like Bay but are toxic when ingested, when in doubt don't eat it. The leaves should smell when rubbed or crushed and you should get a bay smell from the wood if you break a branch.
Pat

[gumbo2176]

If it has no taste and smell, it is not bay leaf!

If you post a picture of it, someone will be able to identify what kind of tree you have.

Good advice. I use lots of bay leaf in my cooking and they do have a very distinct and fairly strong aroma, especially when picked fresh off the tree.

To me, the smell is similar to if you tear a leaf off a magnolia tree and get a whiff of it.

[Kisal]

Here where I live, there are a couple of different species of laurel that are grown. They're often used for hedges. They look pretty much identical to the one used for cooking, except they have no scent. I had a hedge of them at the house I owned prior to the one I live in now. I'm thinking you probably have one of those.

[Gary350]

Make sure it is not Oleander.