I tried it a few times in Richmond, VA (also zone 7a) and did not have luck with it. Now I'm in your area and I have a coworker near Annapolis who said that her bay laurel is doing well there.

I'd say it is worth trying, with the knowledge that you may not succeed. My potted one has survived 5F outside, even though all the new growth was fried. I think my MIL on Staten Island planted hers in the ground, and it survived several winters. Eventually the Zone Gods will catch up with you, but until then ....

Colder winters here in USDA 8 burn this Mediterranean climate plant. So 6-7 seems likely to be too much.

I was about to make the same comment. One of our infrequent Arctic blasts can do a number on the foliage and occasionally result in stem dieback. Colder winter climates could have an even more damaging effect. OTOH, this is an easy plant to overwinter indoors if of a small enough size to be transportable.

Ion;t think it would work outside, but an unheated sunroom would work. They can take 45-55 degrees.

Bay laurel can take a lot lower than 45 degrees. They grow into 25 x 30 foot trees here and are subject to below freezing temperatures several times over the winter, just as they would experience in their homelands. They are hardy to 23f according to the RHS. They are not tropical. However they won't survive long or deep freezes.

Even a mild winter gets well below 23F here.

Then I wouldn't try it unless you really don't care if it makes it or not. Do it indoors. If you don't want to divide it them just take some woody cuttings and root them over winter.

Dave

Joe Bastardi says a cold, snowy winter upcoming for the US east:

http://www.weatherbell.com/premium

Hair, I realise parts of the US get very cold winters. My comment was addressing the post above mine which said bay can take 45-55. I wanted to assure Cathy they can actually take much lower temps than that.

Rooting bay from cuttings is actually rather difficult and even if you manage it they grow very slowly. It would not be as easy to root them over winter as it would for rosemary, for example. So if bay won't survive your winters I'd bring them inside. If you rely on rooting cuttings you'll almost certainly be disappointed. I don't know how you'd divide bay since it's a tree. Unless, of course, your plant is several individuals growing together or has produced suckers. Rooting bay cuttings.