QUESTION: What do you do if your Christmas tree isn’t drinking water? We filled up the reservoir, but the tree doesn’t seem to be taking anything in. – John E
ANSWER: There are a variety of factors that can come into play if your Christmas tree isn’t drinking the water you have provided to keep it fresh. Make sure to keep the receptacle in its Christmas tree stand filled with tap water. Additions such as pennies, vodka, sugar, and other mix-ins that are rumored to help keep trees fresh can actually cause the tree not to drink its water, so use plain tap water with no additions.
If your tree was cut more than six to eight hours prior to being placed in its water supply you will need to cut the bottom of the tree again so it is able to drink the water from the Christmas tree stand. If it has been more than six to eight hours since your tree was cut, you’ll need to remove a slice from the bottom of the tree that’s between a quarter of an inch and an inch thick. Make your cut straight across instead of at an angle. Cutting the tree straight across makes it easier for your tree to drink water and also helps the tree to stay securely upright in its stand.
It does not help to drill a hole in your tree or to remove bark from a tree that’s too wide for its stand, as the bark helps the tree to absorb water. Make sure to use a stand that’s large enough for your tree and to keep it filled with fresh water. Stands that can hold at least a gallon of water are recommended. Also, keep in mind that it may take a few days for your tree to start drinking water after it has been freshly cut, and this delay is normal.
We brought our tree home Sunday night. My husband cut a good 1” off and immediately put it in the stand full of water. We left it in the cool garage until Thursday night. Brought it in and out it right back in the stand in less than 10 min. It’s now Friday and the tree has only drank about 3/4 inch of water since we got it home. Should we try to cut the bottom again or just try to return and get a new one. Its 10.5’ tall.
Ours is about 7 feet and the same thing…did it start drinking? Barely any needles are falling off so it’s very fresh. I’m praying that it’s just delayed.
My tree just stopped drinking water and we’ve had it for two weeeks! It was drinking water a ton and now boom….NADA!
Same here! It was drinking water but now nothing. Hoping it stays alive just until Christmas.
Same here! I’m afraid I’m going to have to take off all of the ornaments and cut it again unless someone else has an idea.
Same here, drinking a lot but now base is getting slimy from the sitting water & it’s too full to add any more water. Any suggestions?
Good afternoon yawl from NC…
As with Ms. Anna on 12/12/21, our tree was drinking approx 1/2 gal per day, and as of 12/15 maybe only about a 1.5 cups have been absorbed or evaporated from the stand. Please advise.
Tree was drinking water for 3 weeks, now nothing? What to do, starting to dry up.
Good evening and Merry Christmas fellow “On-going Saga of drying/fading Christmas Trees!”
I had initially posted to the gardening channel in hopes a “professional evergreen whisperer” would respond to our dilemmas…What do we do?
Can we anticipate a reply from the https://www.gardeningchannel.com/christmas-tree-isnt-drinking-water/#comment-243524?
Should we contact Charlie Brown?
I’m in the same boat!!! I’m to the point where I don’t even turn the lights on anymore! Praying it stays until Christmas!!
It’s only December 9/2023 my xmas tree is only drinking a half a cup of water what should I do no needles are falling off
Same here.my tree came in house Sat night but not drinking any water at all. I don’t think the store employee cut off the bottom! What can I do yo help the tree It is only 12/15!!!