In article , Ros Butt
writes
I've had the same problem, my tree is about 4 years old, and 3 1/2 feet
high and never been pruned, so I really went to town on it at the weekend
so find out the cause:

I inspected it thoroughly and found it had scale, so I've taken off all of
the infected leaves.

If you get scale again, merely removing the scale is enough - or even
squashing them across their middles with a finger nail. Of course, if
there are enough on one leaf it's a lot easier just to remove the leaf!

Did you also check the stems - I find a lot of scale insects hide along
there.

I am now keeping a better eye on it and have promised not to neglect it
again. I feel so ashamed - I just hope that there isn't a 'cruelty to
plants' organisation, I feel that I shall be hung, drawn & quartered!!!

Bay get scale - this is the bay's fault, not yours! Regard the
descaling as an annual job.
--
Kay Easton

Edward's earthworm page:
http://www.scarboro.demon.co.uk/edward/index.htm