FREE Science for Seniors Tuesday activity - How do live Christmas trees still absorb water after being cut down? Materials: Fresh Christmas tree, water, tree stand. Process: Place the tree in a tree stand with water.
Result: The outer ring of the tree trunk is called the sapwood. The sapwood contains long stretch out plant cells which transport water and nutrition to the branches and needles of the tree. T
he center of the trunk contains dead cells which do not transport water but do remain firm to support the weight of the tree. If you cut off the outer sapwood edge of the trunk in order to fit the tree into a tree stand, the tree will not draw water and dry our faster thus becoming a fire hazard.