Which is not entirely a bad thing.
Given free rein Laurus nobilus will adopt shrub format and try to take over the territory, spreading by root suckers. I often have to cut mine back (discarding hundreds of dollars worth of leaves at supermarket prices each time). Being a Medeterranian plant it will need good sun if grown in a pot, but partial shade is good (and will encourage a shrub rather than tree form).
On the West Coast we have also the California bay laurel (Umbellularia californica). I don't recommend it, particularly fresh, as fresh leaves and fruit can give you a splitting headach in seconds. Dried leaves may not have this effect and people do use them in food.
[link|http://www.aaxnet.com|AAx]
