The bay laurel tree is said to have both healing and protective properties and it is thought that a bay tree growing near or in your garden will protect the house and ward off illnesswhen a new baby arrives it is lucky to celebrate by planting a bay tree bay leaves are best known today for their use in cooking and have a unique and fragrant flavour that compliments most stews and casseroles and are widely used in asian and mediterranean cooking the bay laurel is a small tree native to th