For years, a sleeper cell in our native bay laurel trees, a pathogen named Botryosphaeria, has been lying low, waiting to attack when the tree’s defenses are down. That time is now.

Reviewed by Debra LaGattuta Fact checked by Jessica Wrubel Bay laurel is an evergreen plant, either as a shrub or tree, renowned for its aromatic leaves commonly used in cooking. Its pointed, ...