How do I plait or twist the stem of a bay tree?

Answer 1

You need to start with plants that are young enough to be pliable. Then you can braid/plait them gently, removing some of the side branches if they interfere with what you are doing. You can gently twist them around a solid stake and tie them with old nylons or something that will not hurt the plant as it grows.The ties can be removed after a year or so when the plant has adopted the shape you want. Some plants get rotated so that they grow towards the light around a stake. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Plaited stems are 3 stems grown together, you plait them in the same way you do hair, but do it loosely to leave them room to grow.
I haven't seen twisted Bay; corkscrew hazel grows that way naturally but you could bend a young green stem around wire like they do for Bonsai. It would have to be a very strong support, but pliable enough to remove when you have the shape you want.