How Much Water A Christmas Tree Needs To Thrive Throughout The Season

Bringing a fresh Christmas tree home is a cherished holiday ritual, but it's serious work to keep it healthy and vibrant until the big day. And while there are plenty of do's and don'ts for caring for a live Christmas tree, the main focus should be keeping it properly hydrated. After all, a dry tree isn't just a sad sight; it's also a fire hazard. To keep your evergreen thriving all season long, it's especially important to understand its hydration needs in the first week.

Fresh-cut Christmas trees act like a giant straw for the first few days. To help yours thrive, make a new straight cut across its base either at the tree lot or when you first get it home, taking off roughly 1/2 inch. This removes the layer of dried sap that sealed the trunk closed, so its water-absorbing tissues are open and ready to drink. Without this, the tree won't be able to absorb water as effectively, which can lead to it drying up even if your stand is full of water.

Once your tree is secured in its stand, be prepared for its initial thirst. Christmas trees can drink up to a gallon in the first 24 hours. After that, give it 1 quart of plain tap water (no additives needed) per day for every inch of the trunk's diameter. Check the water level in the tree's stand every morning and evening (especially during that first week). Don't let water get below the trunk's base; it will start to reseal its tissues when exposed to air for even a few hours. If that happens, your Christmas tree might even start dropping needles. 

The right amount of water for a Christmas tree depends on its size. For a 7-foot tree, you can expect it to require around 3 quarts of water per day, based on an average 3-inch trunk diameter. But in addition to keeping the water levels topped up, there are other factors that will help your tree stay properly hydrated and prosper for longer. 

First, make sure to choose the right stand for your particular tree; it needs to be able to hold at least 1 quart per inch of stem diameter to meet the tree's hydration needs. Next, never shave or whittle down the bark of the tree's trunk just to try and get it to fit into your stand. Why? Because the most efficient water-absorbing tissue is in the tree's outer layers, and if you remove that, then it reduces the tree's ability to take in water (and no, it doesn't matter how much water is in the stand). We recommend just buying a larger stand if your tree's trunk is too wide.

Keep environmental factors in mind, too. Even though they might not seem like a big deal, these can play a big part in increasing your tree's water consumption rates. To keep your tree happy and healthy, set it up away from heat sources like fireplaces, heat vents, or candles. These can not only speed up evaporation, but also increase the risk of fire. Even putting your Christmas tree directly in front of a window can lower its lifespan. Lastly, when decorating, consider choosing cool-running LED or miniature lights to avoid drying the tree out. By following these easy hydration rules, your Christmas tree will stay vibrant through the holiday season.