The sight and scent of a real Christmas tree bring warmth to many homes, but live trees can greatly increase the risk of fire if they dry out. Below is a simple, at-home tree treatment that can help keep a cut tree well-hydrated and reduce its fire risk throughout the holiday season.
The danger of holiday fires rises when candles, space heaters and dry trees are present. A dried tree can ignite and spread fire extremely fast—sometimes in under a minute—so keeping your tree hydrated is essential to lower that risk.
Christmas Tree Food Recipe
You’ll need:
- 2 cups corn syrup (light)
- 2 ounces liquid chlorine bleach
- 2 pinches Epsom salt
- 1/2 teaspoon borax (laundry aisle)
- 1 teaspoon chelated iron
Before cutting your tree, prepare the tree food mixture. Fill a two-gallon bucket with hot water, leaving about an inch of space at the top. Add the ingredients and stir until dissolved. When you cut the tree, make a fresh, level cut removing at least one inch from the trunk to open the pores and improve water uptake. Immediately place the trunk into the prepared solution and allow it to sit for 24 hours.
After soaking, transfer the tree into a stand that has a well for holding liquid. Save the remaining solution in the bucket. Pour the solution from the bucket into the stand’s well so the tree can continue drawing it up.
Top up the stand’s water well every day without exception using the solution in the bucket. Consistent daily watering is crucial—never let the water level fall below the base of the trunk.
Following these steps can help keep your tree hydrated and reduce the chance it will become a fast-burning fire hazard during the holidays. While no treatment makes a tree completely fireproof, this routine can extend freshness and lower risk.
How the tree food works
The corn syrup supplies sugar that helps the tree draw and retain water; a well-hydrated tree may take up as much as 1.5 gallons over a two-week period. Borax contributes boron, which aids movement of water and sugars throughout branches and needles. Magnesium from Epsom salt and iron from the chelated iron support chlorophyll production, helping the tree stay green. A small amount of bleach helps inhibit mold growth in the solution.
As a result, needles tend to stay on the tree longer and its natural pine scent is often more pronounced. These benefits combine to keep the tree healthier and less prone to rapid ignition.
Disclaimer – Use common sense. If you fail to keep the tree watered, it will dry out and become a fire hazard. This method helps maintain freshness for a few weeks and reduces risk, but it does not eliminate it entirely. Always follow general fire safety practices: keep trees away from heat sources, use lights rated for indoor use, and turn off decorative lights when you leave or sleep.