A cut Christmas tree remains a living piece of plant material that continues to lose moisture once brought indoors. Keeping it vibrant hinges entirely on preventing dehydration, often called “feeding” the tree. The tree relies on stored carbohydrates and a continuous supply of water to compensate for moisture lost through its needles. Therefore, the primary goal of care is not to provide nutrition, but to ensure the tree’s water-conducting system remains open and fully hydrated.
Essential Preparation Before Watering
Successful hydration requires preparation before the tree is placed in the stand. When a tree is cut, its internal vascular system seals the wound with resin or sap within a few hours. This hardened layer completely blocks the tree’s ability to absorb water from the stand.
To bypass this seal, make a fresh, straight cut across the trunk’s base, removing approximately one to two inches of wood. This reopens the microscopic xylem vessels, allowing for immediate water uptake. Avoid drilling holes or creating V-shaped cuts, as these methods hinder stability and reduce the surface area for water absorption. Finally, trim away any lower branches that would sit submerged in the water reservoir, as foliage promotes the growth of mold and bacteria that clog the vessels.
The Primary Role of Plain Water
Once prepared, water is the single most influential factor in maintaining the tree’s freshness. The tree moves water upward through transpiration, where moisture evaporates from the needles, creating a suction force that pulls water from the stand. The xylem tissue facilitates this passive plumbing system.
A freshly cut tree is often extremely thirsty, consuming a large volume of water in its first 24 to 48 hours indoors. A medium-sized tree may absorb up to a gallon of water during this initial re-hydration period. The stand must be large enough to hold a substantial reservoir, ensuring the cut base is submerged at all times. Use clean, room-temperature tap water; studies show that a fresh cut followed by cold water is more effective than initial hot water treatments.
Examining Common Tree Food Additives
The idea of “tree food” comes from floral preservatives used for cut flowers, but for woody trees, these additives are unnecessary and can be detrimental. Commercial preservatives typically contain a mild acid, sugar, and a bactericide. The acid improves water flow, and the bactericide prevents microbial growth that plugs the xylem vessels.
However, studies show that for Christmas trees, plain, clean water is usually as effective as, or superior to, commercial mixtures. Adding sugar or corn syrup is counterproductive because the sugar accelerates the growth of bacteria and fungi. This rapid microbial growth quickly forms a slime that clogs the delicate xylem tubes, severely restricting the tree’s water absorption.
Similarly, adding household products like bleach, aspirin, or copper pennies is intended to act as a bactericide. While bleach can inhibit growth, the concentration is difficult to control and can be toxic to the tree and pets. Aspirin offers no nutritional benefit. A combination of bleach and acidic additives like lemon juice or vinegar can produce hazardous chlorine gas. Forestry experts agree that maintaining a consistently full reservoir of plain, fresh water prevents bacterial buildup better than most unproven DIY solutions.
Environmental Factors for Longevity
The rate at which a tree loses moisture is heavily influenced by its immediate environment, making placement a significant factor in longevity. Any source of heat will accelerate the rate of transpiration, causing the tree to dry out much faster than it can absorb water. Avoid placing the tree near fireplaces, heat vents, radiators, or in direct sunlight streaming through a window.
Lowering the temperature in the room, ideally to a constant temperature between 60 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit, will help slow this moisture loss. Higher room humidity is also beneficial, as it reduces the evaporative pull from the needles. Continual monitoring is necessary to ensure the tree’s freshness is maintained throughout the season. The water level must be checked daily and refilled immediately, ensuring the water always covers the fresh-cut surface of the trunk.