Last Updated on December 11, 2021 by Kimberly Stroh
After you’ve decorated your tree, the real work happens. In order to keep your Christmas tree fresh, you need to water it daily. During the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, many people neglect their tree after it’s decorated. Your tree will die sooner and you’re at risk for a Christmas tree fire. Be worry free and learn how to water a Christmas tree to keep it fresh throughout the season.
We’re typically really good at watering our tree. We have one culprit that surprised us one year – the family puppy. He would drink the Christmas tree water and we couldn’t keep up with the water that was needed. You’ve got to check the water level every day, no matter which family member is in charge of replenishing the water.
How To Water A Christmas Tree To Keep It Fresh
Hopefully you’ve already purchased a Christmas tree that’s healthy. You want green needles and even a little bit of sap to know that it’s truly fresh. The branches should be pliable. I like to purchase a tree from our local farm, instead of a tree lot. We pay a bit more, but it’s worth it.
Many tree farms and lot owners get one shipment prior to Thanksgiving and that’s it. Your tree may not make it to Christmas if you purchase that early. So ask when the trees were delivered. Some families keep their tree up until the Feast of the Epiphany, which could happen as late as mid-January. That’s a long time for a fresh tree to be out!
How Often Should I water my Christmas Tree?
Get into the daily habit of watering your tree. Set up a reminder or alarm in your smartphone. Delegate it as a chore to kids, if they’re old enough.
Trees consume the most amount of water when you first bring them home, with the fresh cut from the trunk. According to the National Christmas Tree Association, for a standard size tree with a trunk diameter in the five-inch range, you’ll want to maintain at least five quarts of water in your stand each day. There’s no harm in refilling your stand to capacity every day and that’s exactly what we do.
Make sure that the tree trunk is emerged into the water and the water level comes up at least several inches up the trunk.
How To Tell When Your Christmas Tree Is Too Dry
Running your HVAC system and keeping the heat on means that the air can be dry in your home. Avoid placing your tree near any vents that could expose the tree directly to warm air. To monitor your tree for dryness, see if the needles feel brittle to the touch. If they shed easily or feel dry, then you probably need to be giving your tree more water.
Most trees will last, in your home with proper care, for 4-6 weeks. When the holiday season is officially over and you’re ready to depart with your tree, there are some innovative ways to recycle a Christmas tree to use around the house.