Is there a reliable, easy, sturdy tree stand that will hold a 7-9' tree? We have ours tied to the wall in two places and use a cast iron, very heavy, large stand, but it hasn't been cutting it. Our cats might be part of the problem but I haven't seen them do much with it in the past few years. I think part of the issue is trunks that aren't always totally straight... Our fault for not including that in criteria when choosing a tree. We spend a long time getting it straight and getting the pins against the trunk, and those ties on while it's looking good... Only to find ourselves sometimes unscrewing those pins because the trunk is tilted, a few weeks later, though the pins are still tight. The stand never comes off the ground, at least.... But the pins gouged the trunk when the tree tilted so I reset them in another spot. I hate this!

Never had a problem. We use this stand:


[www.freshchristmastree.com]

Pricey, but worth it. I think we've had it about 7 years and it seems pretty indestructible and very stable.

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"In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion." (1987) -- Carl Sagan

I should mention that our plastic tree stands, even the good, big ones, tipped over with the tree several times. That's why we have the cast iron one now. Our trees are pretty heavy... But I'm sure there is some improvement in designs by now, so would still consider a lighter tree stand if it was recommended.

I haven't done the calcs, but given the small size of the base of a tree stand compared to the height and leverage of a tree, I'd surmise that the weight of the stand is not a significant factor compared to the diameter of the base. Anything you can do to increase the base diameter will probably go a long way towards keeping the tree upright...or do both...screw your stand down to a piece of plywood and put sandbags on the plywood (covered of course by a festive blanket.

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"In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion." (1987) -- Carl Sagan

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davester
I haven't done the calcs, but given the small size of the base of a tree stand compared to the height and leverage of a tree, I'd surmise that the weight of the stand is not a significant factor compared to the diameter of the base. Anything you can do to increase the base diameter will probably go a long way towards keeping the tree upright...or do both...screw your stand down to a piece of plywood and put sandbags on the plywood (covered of course by a festive blanket.

This is the way to go. If you have enough diameter in the plywood you probably wouldn't need the weight.

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And we should consider every day lost on which we have not danced at least once.
—Friedrich Nietzsche
Western Massachusetts

sadly, with exploring kittehs, strapping it to the wall is about the only chance you and the cats have. Unless you are willing to have stands made of I-means.

Is the tree stand on a hard surface, or well padded carpet? If carpet, you need a decent sized piece of plywood to make a hard stable surface.

we bought a cast iron one from Home Depot, about 10 years ago we picked one that looked the most durable and well made that had for sale at that time. $20 IIRC. Cast Iron, square base, about 14" wide, 5" tall, with 4 heavy duty screws similar to the one davester linked above. We place it on hardwood floor. Only once we had it fall, when the tree wasn't straight and we didn't pay enough attention at mounting. no kittens here.

Our tree isn't secure in the base, it's like the pins don't matter although they are tight. Odd. What about crooked trunks?

We have hardwood floors... Plywood as backup sounds like a good option. I don't mind continuing to secure to the wall, but this year two planes wasn't enough, and you can plainly see the third.

The cast iron one described is pretty much what we're using now.

We used to typically get a 10' to 12' tree. No stand ever worked.
One year the tree farm was selling the Davis tree stand and have used it ever since
Davis Christmas tree stand

Interesting.... Can't really tell how it works, but it's wide!