☀️ Light: Full Sun to Partial Shade
💧 Watering: Moderate; drought tolerant once established
🌡️ USDA Hardiness Zone: 8–11

Bay laurel is a slow-growing evergreen tree valued for its aromatic leaves, which are widely used as a culinary seasoning in soups, stews, and sauces. It is also a useful food forest plant due to its dense, fragrant foliage that can help deter some pests while providing year-round harvestable leaves. With regular pruning, it can be maintained as a small tree or large shrub for easy leaf access.