Red Bay Trees

Identification

• The red bay is an evergreen tree with smooth, shiny leaves that are bright green in color on the top side and a dull, gray color underneath. These leaves grow on stiff twigs and produce a pleasant aroma. The bark is usually a reddish-brown color, marked with ridges at varied intervals. Foliage is arranged in single layers of that are packed together densely and tend to droop over time. Red bay trees produce cream-colored flowers and blue or black fruits. The red bay can be pollinated either by bees or the wind. The crowns of these trees, which can reach up to 65 feet in height, are rounded.

Habitat

• Red bays can be found in the southern and southeastern states of the U.S. It is particularly suited to growing on the edges of wetland areas such as the swamps of the lower coastal plain. The climate range that the red bay enjoys varies from Florida's semi-tropical climate to the tropical climate of the Bahamas, where it also grows, and even the more temperate climate that is found along Texas's lower gulf coast.

Uses

• The wood, which is a red shade and responds well to polishing, has little widespread commercial value and is usually used today for cabinet-making and finishing boats within local areas the tree can be found growing. The leaves can be used for seasoning food and are often used in gumbo recipes. Before European settlers began to use the red bay, some Native American tribes used it for medicinal and ceremonial purposes. Leaves and roots were used to treat conditions ranging from arthritis to eye complaints. Funeral ceremonies also featured red bay as a treatment for the grief suffered due to the loss of a loved one.

Animal Uses

• Red bay trees provide animals with food and shelter. Many birds, including mockingbirds, turkeys, robins and bluebirds, eat the fruit. Red bay fruit also forms part of the diet of rodents such as squirrels and is extremely useful during winter months as it often provides food for animals when other resources have run out. Larger animals such as deer and the black bear feed on the fruit and leaves of this tree. Winter and fall are when most animals feed from the red bay, although its foliage can poison many other animals.

Threats

• In the southeastern states of the U.S., particularly along the coasts of Georgia, Florida and South Carolina, red bay trees have fallen victim to a disease called laurel wilt. This disease is caused by a fungus spread by an Asian species of ambrosia beetle that was introduced to the U.S. unintentionally. The disease, which has spread rapidly since first appearing in 2003, is a major threat to the red bay.