How to Water a Christmas Tree to Keep It Fresh Through the Holiday Season

Like Christmas trees, Christmas tree stands come in all shapes and sizes. Choose a tree stand that is the right size for your Christmas tree so it can receive enough water. A good rule of thumb is to give a tree one quart of water for every inch across the tree trunk. For example, an 8-inch diameter Christmas tree trunk would require a tree stand that holds 8 quarts of water or 2 gallons.

If you place your Christmas tree near a heat source, such as a fireplace, heater, or vent, the heat can dry out the branches and cause the tree to die more quickly. To ensure your tree lasts until Christmas and into the New Year, position it far away from these heat sources.

If your tree must be near a heater, consider keeping the room temperature lower or watering the tree more often to prevent branches from dying. Check the tree often to ensure it does not dry out—a dry Christmas tree, especially near a heat source, is a fire hazard.

After picking the perfect Christmas tree and putting it inside your home, place it in the tree stand and fill the reservoir with water for the initial watering. Using a watering vessel, like a watering can or pitcher, fill the tree stand with water up to the maximum fill line. If there isn’t a maximum fill line on the tree stand, read the specifications and fill with the amount of water noted. If you have difficulty accessing the tree stand to fill the reservoir, consider using a funnel with an extension piece.

To keep the recently-cut tree healthy, complete this step within six to eight hours of arriving home with the tree. If you cannot set up the tree immediately, place the trunk in a bucket of warm water in the meantime.

While purchasing plant food and other plant growth additives for your Christmas tree may be tempting, we don’t recommend it. Fresh, clean water is all you need for Christmas trees. Sugar, bleach, or other additives are not recommended. Stick to simple watering and use your research skills to learn how to decorate a Christmas tree to make it look extra stunning.

After the initial watering, keep tabs on your Christmas tree to note how much water it is taking in. Ensure the water level never drops below the base of the tree trunk. The tree will likely take in the most water during the first week in your home, then slow its water consumption. Water the tree daily for the first week, then reduce watering to once a week or as needed to keep the water above the tree trunk.

If you notice dry, fragile needles on your Christmas tree, it’s a sign that it isn’t absorbing enough water. The bottom of the tree trunk may be covered with sap, preventing the tree from absorbing water. Remove ½ inch or so from the bottom of the tree trunk and place it back into the tree stand so it can absorb water again.

To keep your Christmas tree healthy for longer, consider using a spray bottle to mist the air around your tree in addition to regular watering. Doing so prevents the tree from drying out and can help the tree last well into the New Year. You could also place a humidifier near the Christmas tree to moisten the air.