Why is my Christmas tree not drinking water?
3 min read · Published
If the water level in your Christmas tree stand isn't dropping, the cut on the trunk has usually sealed. Here's how to check and how to fix it.
A healthy cut tree drinks a lot. London Fire Brigade says it can take up to two pints a day (London Fire Brigade). If the water level in the stand hasn’t moved for a day or two, the most likely reason is that the cut end of the trunk has sealed over and the tree can no longer take water up.
Why the trunk seals
As soon as a tree is cut, sap starts to dry on the cut surface. NIST, the US fire research body, explains that if the cut surface dries out, the tree takes up less water (NIST). This happens if:
- the tree went into its stand without a fresh cut
- there was a long gap between cutting the trunk and putting it in water
- the stand ran dry, even once
How to fix it
- Unplug and remove the lights and decorations, then take the tree out of the stand. Ask someone to help support it.
- Saw a fresh, straight slice off the bottom of the trunk.
- Put it straight back in the stand and fill it with water. NIST says to make the cut immediately before the tree goes into the stand.
- Check the level the next morning, and every day after that.
If a fresh cut is not practical, keep checking its condition. Remove a tree that is dry or brittle rather than leaving it decorated in the hope it will recover.
How much to cut off
The sources differ. The RHS says to saw 2.5cm (1in) off the bottom (RHS). NIST and the US National Fire Protection Association say 5cm (2in) (NIST; NFPA). Either should reach fresh wood. If your stand is a tight fit, the smaller cut leaves you more trunk.
Other things to check
- Is it too warm? The RHS warns that a tree too close to a fire or radiator loses moisture fast and drops needles (RHS). A tree losing moisture fast will still drink from the stand, so this is a separate problem from a stand where the level isn’t moving.
- Is the trunk in the water? In some stands, a tree that settles or leans can lift the trunk end clear of the water. Look under the branches and check.
- Is it a pot-grown tree? Trees sold in pots with their roots take water through the soil, not a cut trunk. The RHS advice for these is different: keep them in a cool room and indoors for no more than 12 days (RHS).
What not to add
Lots of tips online suggest sugar, aspirin or lemonade in the water. We haven’t found good evidence that any of them help a cut tree drink. If you have pets, PDSA says not to add chemicals, fertilisers or preservatives to tree water at all, because many are toxic to cats and dogs (PDSA). Plain tap water is enough.
People also ask how long a tree can last without water. We haven’t found a reliable figure, so don’t let the stand run dry. A dry tree drops needles and catches fire far more easily than a watered one (NIST).