Keeping your Christmas tree from dehydrating can be difficult if your tree stops drinking water. Learn how to keep your Christmas
Fresh Christmas trees get blamed for most fires during the holiday season. The biggest reason for this is when the tree has stopped drinking water, it dries out. The best way to prevent this disaster is to keep your tree hydrated. With proper care for your tree, you can keep it alive for two to three weeks.
Is your Christmas tree being stubborn and refusing to drink water? Don’t panic! As someone who’s dealt with this common holiday headache many times, I’ll share everything you need to know to get your tree happily hydrated again
Why Did My Christmas Tree Stop Drinking Water?
The most common reason a Christmas tree stops drinking is that sneaky sap has sealed off the trunk’s base You see, Christmas trees are conifers that produce resin When cut, this resin naturally seals the trunk within 6-8 hours – it’s like the tree putting a bandaid on itself! While this is great for the tree in nature, it’s not so great in your living room.
Other reasons your tree might be refusing water:
- The cut is too old (more than 6-8 hours before placing in water)
- The tree stand is too small
- The water level dropped below the trunk at some point
- The trunk was cut at an angle instead of straight across
- The room is too hot or the tree is near a heat source
How to Fix a Non-Drinking Christmas Tree
1. Give It a Fresh Cut
This is your best bet! Here’s what to do:
- Cut about 1/2 inch to 1 inch off the bottom
- Make the cut straight across (no fancy angles!)
- Put it in water immediately after cutting
2. Use the Right Stand
Y’all wouldn’t believe how many problems come from using tiny stands! Here’s what you need:
- Get a stand that holds at least 1 gallon of water
- Make sure it can hold 1 quart per inch of trunk diameter
- Don’t whittle down the bark to fit a small stand
3. Keep It Simple with Water
I’ve heard all sorts of crazy suggestions for the water – vodka, bleach, sugar, even throwing in some pennies! But trust me, your tree just wants plain ol’ tap water. Those additives can actually:
- Prevent proper water absorption
- Encourage bacteria growth
- Make the tree dry out faster
4. Location, Location, Location!
Where you put your tree matters big time
- Keep it away from radiators and heating vents
- Avoid direct sunlight
- Stay away from fireplaces
- Keep room temperature moderate
Water Consumption Guide
Here’s what to expect for water consumption:
| Tree Height | Daily Water Needs |
|---|---|
| 6 feet | 1/2 – 1 gallon |
| 7-8 feet | 1 – 1.5 gallons |
| 9+ feet | 1.5+ gallons |
When to Stop Worrying
Sometimes we worry too much about our trees! It’s actually normal for water consumption to slow down after the first couple weeks. If your tree:
- Still has flexible needles
- Isn’t dropping excessive needles
- Maintains its color
- Has some water consumption (even if less)
Then you’re probably just fine!
Prevention Tips for Next Year
Learn from my mistakes! Here’s what I do now:
- Buy from a reliable seller who cuts trees fresh
- Get the tree in water within 6 hours of cutting
- Have the right size stand ready
- Keep checking water levels daily
- Make a fresh cut right before setup
Common Questions I Get Asked
Q: My tree was drinking tons of water and suddenly stopped – should I panic?
A: Not necessarily! It’s normal for consumption to decrease over time. If needles are still flexible, you’re good.
Q: How long can my tree go without water?
A: Try not to let it go more than 24 hours. After that, you might need to make a fresh cut.
Q: Can I drill holes in the trunk to help it drink?
A: Nope! This old trick doesn’t actually help and might harm the tree.
Final Thoughts
Remember, every tree is different – just like us humans! Some drink more, some drink less. The key is keeping an eye on your tree’s overall health rather than obsessing over exact water consumption.
We’ve all been there with a stubborn tree, but following these tips should help keep your holiday centerpiece happy and hydrated throughout the season. And if you’re still worried, just remember – even Charlie Brown’s sad little tree turned out okay in the end!
Keep it simple, keep it watered, and enjoy your holiday season! And hey, if all else fails, there’s always next year to try again.
How Do You Rehydrate a Christmas Tree?
- Saw off about an inch of the bottom of the tree trunk. Saw it flat for the best result.
- Plant the Christmas tree in a stand and fill it with water.
- Check the water level every day and refill the water when it drops below the trunk level.
- Make sure it is not close or next to a heat source like a fireplace or a heater, as the heat will dehydrate the tree.
Do not add any chemicals or things to the water, just use plain tap water. This will help to care for or revive your dying potted Christmas tree in the house. Be aware that once the Christmas tree is dead, however, it cannot be revived.
How Much Water Should Your Christmas Tree Drink?
An average Christmas tree can use up to 3,79 litres of water a day. The rule of thumb is that the tree needs 0,95 litres of water for every 2,54cm of the tree trunks diameter.
Like with most plants, if you give the tree too much water the bottom of the tree or the roots will rot and the tree will die. If it gets too little water the leaves will turn brown and fall off.