Question
My bay laurel tree I got this spring has new growth on it and browning, falling leaves. I read another expert's article about water, light and fertilizer.

I would like to know how to prune it and when I should prune it. Also do you think it could be rootbound already?

Answer
Jean:
It is true that water,light and fertilizer has a lot to do with growing bay. To check for root bound, gently squeeze the pot while pulling it out of pot. Check roots to see if they are curled at the bottom. If so,cut the roots so they are straight. Take about 1" off bottom and sides. Place in the next size pot. Bay likes to be root bound, but not in a death grip. Add a tablespoon of bone meal and feed a liquid fish fertilizer. It sounds like you have a bay from a cutting, which has a thicker trunk than the bay from seed. They take longer to mature. Prune only 1-3 inches from the tips where the new growth is. Water about once a week,not soggy wet. Bring indoors in winter unless you are in the warm zones.Place in a southern or eastern location. Watch for scale, which can be cleaned with cotton balls & alcohol.
The new things mentioned here may stop the leaf dropping and browning.

Leroy