North Pole Product Range | Christmas Trees | Tree Care | Accessories |

Setting up your tree If it is more than a couple of hours since the tree was harvested, make a fresh, straight cut across the base of the trunk, place the tree in a stand or bucket and add sufficient water to immerse the cut trunk to 4 or 5 inches (approx 10 cm).  Make sure the water is regularly topped up. When a tree is cut After a tree is harvested, sap will leech from the newly exposed wood and form a seal over the cut. This will happen in the first few hours after cutting, or if the cut remains open to the air for an appreciable length of time.  The sap seal will prevent the tree from absorbing any liquid when it is placed in water (or after re-filling a stand or bucket if the cut has dried out). If a seal does form, another cut must be made a centimetre or two above the end of the stump to expose new wood. The importance of water A tree will continue to transpire (pass water vapour out through its leaves/needles) for many days after it has been cut. Unless that water is replaced the tree will dry, fade, lose fragrance and eventually begin to drop needles.  The first 24 hour to 36 hours is critical, with even a small tree losing five or more litres (approx 1 gallon) of water in this time. beyond this period the tree will continue to lose water but at a decreasing rate. Replacing lost water will keep your tree green, fragrant and flexible over the holiday period.