Sweet bay (https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/magnolia-virginiana/) is a native tree, not culinary bay (Laurus nobilis) . It turns out you can use magnolia leaves as a replacement for culinary bay -- and my Dad does that now. (https://eatwild.weebly.com/blog/magnolia and https://www.eattheweeds.com/magnolia-viginiana-how-sweet-it-is-2/ )

And, grr, reading today claims deer like sweet bay. Hrm.