By Claude
south yorkshire,
United Kingdom 
my bay tree as been badly damaged this year by the severe winter, leaves gone brown and died . did a bark test seems ok, will it recover if i cut it back?.
9 Apr, 2011
Answers
We have a very old tree that has lots of brown over the leaves, the weather shocked lots of things this year,[including us], its difficult to be patient when things look "done-for". Give it something nice to eat and it may perk up.
9 Apr, 2011
I had a standard that apparently died and I cut it down to a few inches high. It regrew and now is a bush!
9 Apr, 2011
thanx everyone for your advice.
10 Apr, 2011
It might recover even if you don't cut it back - clip off all dead leaves and wait and see where new growth appears. If its in a pot, check that it doesn't need repotting.
9 Apr, 2011