Home and Garden

Your Christmas Tree Is Thirsty! These Simple Steps Can Help Your Live Tree Last Longer

Colder temperatures may have you cranking up the heat and your Christmas tree may already be looking parched. Here are some simple ways to quench its thirst and keep it thriving throughout the holiday season

Keep Your Christmas Tree From Getting Crispy

For many of us the holiday season doesn’t truly begin until we drag a big, beautiful, live tree into our homes. Unfortunately, a bone-dry Christmas tree can erupt into flames faster than you can say “holiday spirit” — but preventing this nightmare scenario is surprisingly simple.

We’ve probably all heard about special concoctions to help your tree last longer, but experts say none of them have been really proven to extend your evergreen. The one thing that will work? Water, water and more water.

(MORE: Let Your Favorite Christmas Movie Inspire Your Holiday Decorating)

Wide shot of smiling father carrying Christmas tree up front stairs of home with family on winter afternoon — A dad carries a Christmas tree up the stairs into his family's home.
(Getty Images/Thomas Barwick)

Once you’ve chosen your perfect pine or fabulous fir, make sure to slice about half an inch off the trunk. Most Christmas tree sellers do it for you, but if you don’t put up your tree immediately, you might need to cut it again. That fresh cut removed dried sap that can block your tree from absorbing water.

Ideally, you want to get your tree into water immediately, then you need to water it daily. Your tree is thirsty, it can drink up to a gallon a day, especially in the first week, according to experts.

So make checking the water level part of your daily routine during the holiday season.

Person securing Christmas tree in stand at home, holiday preparation concept — Watering your Christmas tree daily will help keep it fresh longer.
(Getty Images/Anastassia Akh)

If your tree has been up since Thanksgiving and the branches are showing signs of drying, grab one of those spray bottles you might use on your hair, and mist those branches to give them a boost of moisture.

Where you place your tree also matters. If you live in colder parts of the country, your tree is working overtime in your heated home. So keep it at least three away from your AC vents, radiators and fireplaces.

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If you haven’t already, switch to LED lights to decorate your tree, not only are they energy-saving, they burn much cooler than traditional bulbs. But if you’re going to hang onto those traditional bulbs, turn them off during the day, or you’re leaving the house.

With these simple steps, your living tree can stay fresh, fragrant and fire-resistant throughout the holiday season and into the New Year.