Once you are home and a fresh cut has been made on the bottom of your tree, place it in water as soon as possible. Most species can go 6 - 8 hours after cutting the trunk and still take up water. Don't bruise the cut surface or get it dirty.
To display the trees indoors, use a stand with an adequate water holding capacity for the tree. (At least one gallon of water) The average 6-foot tree has a 4-inch diameter trunk, and can consume as much as 4 quarts or 1 gallon of water per day.
The temperature of the water used to fill the stand is not important and does not affect water uptake.
Check the stand daily to make sure that the level of water does not go below the base of the tree. With many stands, there can still be water in the stand even though the base of the tree is no longer submerged in water.
Do not use additives in the water, including floral preservatives, commercial tree preservatives, molasses, sugar, bleach, soft drinks, aspirin, honey, and other concoctions. Clean water is all that is needed to maintain freshness.
Displaying trees in water with proper care is the most effective way of maintaining a tree's moisture.
Monitor the tree for freshness. After Christmas or if the tree is dry, remove it from the house.
Remove your tree from your home promptly after Christmas and recycle it.
