How and When to Water a Christmas Tree

 Cut the End of the Tree Trunk

• Cut an inch off the bottom of the trunk with a hand saw or a chain saw before setting the tree in the stand. The fresh cut allows the tree to absorb more water.

Christmas Tree Preservative

• Adding a preservative to the water will help your tree absorb more water and last longer.
• Miracle-Gro makes a popular tree preservative you can buy almost anywhere.
• Or try this DIY Recipe: Mix one gallon of water with two cups light corn syrup, four teaspoons bleach, and four teaspoons lemon juice or vinegar (optional).

How Much Water Does a Christmas Tree Need?

• Fill the tree stand with tap water using a pitcher or watering can. A tree watering funnel comes in handy. Just be sure to keep an eye on the water level as you fill the tree basin.
• Water your tree daily. A freshly-cut tree will absorb about a gallon of water in a day.

Automatic Tree Watering Systems

• You can use an automatic watering system to water your tree, but you still need to fill the watering system reservoir.

Reminders

• Leave yourself a post-it note near the coffee pot or on the refrigerator as a reminder to water the tree.
• Make a daily event in the calendar on your phone or computer and set an alert to remind you to water the tree.
• When you’re decorating the tree, be sure to leave a little space somewhere where it’s easy to get to the basin to water it.
• Don’t forget, water the tree! Happy Holidays!

After the Holidays

• When the holiday season is over, it’s important to deal with the tree. You don’t want to leave it in the house where it will eventually dry out and leave a pile of needles on your floor, not to mention make itself into a safety risk. There are several things you can do with the tree after the holidays, including DIY projects like making bean poles for the garden or stuffing it into a wood chipper. Most cities and towns have a collection point for old Christmas trees, and the easiest thing to do with your old one would be to take it there.