Yep. And the suggestion of a 1/2 hole on each side is to give
better exposure to that layer, and making the hole any deeper
is superfluous.
The routine of drilling the hole frequently comes up with a fresh cut with
tree stand bottom blocking flow. That's the reason for the center spike. To
hold the tree in place, and space it above the bottom of the stand bowl.

MC wrote in message
...
I am really stretching back into school biology here, But I thought that
trees only used the underlying section just below the bark to supply the
tree with nutrients from the roots, the middle of the tree was not active
at
all ???

Any tree experts out there ??

MC
"The_Critic" wrote in message
...

"Finite Guy" wrote in message
...
Hi All: I couldn't find and appropriate newsgroup for this post so I
thought I'd try this one. Besides, if I don't solve this problem, I
will be needing a home repair.

snip This tree will not drink water. Is it becasue it is a fresh
tree
and
doesn't need it?

Any suggestions on what I should do?
Robert

I received the following in a gardening newsletter. jerrybaker.com
Hope
it helps.

"It'll soon be that time of year again, so I'd like to take a moment to
wish you and yours a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season! I'm never
one to leave you in a lurch, so to help you out with your holiday
chores,
here are a few of my favorite holiday tips and tricks.

To help your Christmas tree retain its needles all season long, you need
to select a tree that's fresh, and then consider shape, height, and
price.
When selecting a tree, shake it as hard as you can, then reach into the
trunk, and remove all of the needles that have accumulated in the center
of the tree. If you do this while you're still at a tree lot, you won't
need to vacuum up all of the excess needles when the tree is in your
house!

As soon as you bring the tree home, while you still have it outdoors,
cut
and discard at least one inch off of the bottom of the trunk to remove
the
dried sap that'll prevent the tree from absorbing moisture. Then fill a
large bucket half full of hot water and add 2 cups of clear corn syrup,
2
tbsp. of beach, and 4 One-a-Day Vitamins+Iron. Set the trunk in the
bucket, and allow it to soak overnight. Then keep plenty of water in the
tree stand at all times.

If you're going to hang up some evergreen roping, soak it in room
temperature water for 24 hours before using it. Allow it to dry then
spray
it with a commercial antidesiccant that can be found at most tree
nurseries.

Decorative centerpieces can sure brighten up a room, but before using
decorative greens, soak the stems in the corn syrup solution overnight,
then spray them with an antidesiccant. When the spray has dried, make
fresh, sharp cuts on the ends, and force them into pieces of oasis that
have been soaked in the corn syrup solution and wrapped in foil to
prevent
evaporation.

Follow these simple steps, and your halls will stay decked with fresh,
fragrant greens throughout the holiday season. Then when the holidays
are
over, make sure you dispose of the greens properly. Don't burn them in
your
fireplace because sparks can travel up the chimney and set fire to the
roof, or burn so hot that they'll cause a fire in the flue. Remember,
it's
better to be safe than sorry!"