I put a folded towel under mine. Or how about a small doormat of carpet?

A towel will still get wet and then it holds water on the floor. (We learned that the hard way) so then, we developed the ULTIMATE answer to this question!!!!

Go to the local big box store (lowes etc) and buy a plastic square tray that is used to catch leaks under your washing machine (under $20). Set it down first, then put your tree in a very heavy stand (I don't know what ours is but it's from Lowes...big heavy thing with the ability to tip it and get the tree straight). When you pick up the box you know it's heavyyyyy!!! But worth every penny (about $50 a few years ago). That sits on top of the washer tray and then you cover the whole with a big tree skirt (it won't show I promise). You can never fill so much that you'll overflow the washer tray! The worst case is that it gets some water in it, but you will see that before you take it out of the house so you can towel it dry then remove it after the tree is all gone :) It works wonders, and because it's basically flat with a couple inch lip, it's easy to store in the garage between holidays.

Gosh, I'm trying to remember all the measures we took because DH worked so hard installing those floors, no way were we taking any chances! :-)

DH build a 'special' tree stand. He took the artificial tree stand and secured it to a 2 1/2' x 2 1/2' piece of plywood that he rounded the edges on so there's no sharp corners. He did that because our second year here our live tree tipped over the night after I decorated it (some of my ornaments are pretty heavy, lol ). We switched to an artificial tree after that, but still use the stand on plywood. Then we set a couple of weights from his weight bench on the plywood. It's worked, no more trees falling over! Definitely a soft rug (no scratchy jute bottoms) under the plywood and I also put felt for furniture legs on the bottom of the plywood. So there's at least two layers of "soft but stable" between tree stand and floor. And the tree skirt hides all the mechanics.

Do you use a live tree, making water a concern?

Yes, I am going to put up a live tree.
Thanks for your responses.
Igloochic, I think I will look for that mat you mentioned.

Merry Christmas!

Good that you are thinking of this prior to putting up the tree - wish I did! 6 years ago in our old house with our BRAND NEW floors - I thought I was being careful, but the floor did get wet and damaged the floors. The pan suggestion is good, and don't overfill and watch out for those screw holes that hold the bolt to hold the tree.. that's where our water leaked from.

I ordered this last year after we took down the tree only to find a big water stain under it. I like that it's round and so our tree skirt will hide the whole thing. Good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: Tree Stand Tray

We also use a folded towel. It shouldn't get wet unless your tree stand leaks or you overwater it. We have a heavy duty cast iron tree holder which cannot tip over and does not leak. I just looked at it - it's called "Bowling's Last Stand - the last stand you'll ever need." They are located in Bear Lake, Michigan. I think they are more expensive than most tree stands but are worth it - they should last forever.

We put a plastic dry cleaning bag down first, then the towel. Our stand has an overflow well, also.

and we have a 1 yd piece of vinyl/felt backed tablecloth "fabric" from Joann's Fabrics under our stand and tree.

I use a large rubber pad that you put under an area rug, then dh puts plywood on that to set up the trains - I have an old cast iron heavy duty tree stand - from ll bean

Oh. Haha. I've used a fake tree for so long I forgot about the watering. (sheepish grin)

I also use a plastic (felt backed) fabric table pad under the tree. I ruined our hardwood floor some years ago. Luckily it's now hidden under furniture. Good thing you are planning ahead. Oh, and be careful not to over-water anyway!

Good grief! This thread is 9 yrs old!

Well it is nice that someone did a "search" before starting a post that already has been dealt with..but yes on this site one has to check the times/date before bothering to open them!!

We put socks on the legs of the tree stand. :)

Just the right time of year! In 2007 we didn't have hardwood floors. Now we do. We purchased this WaterHog mat for use under the tree the first Christmas we had the floors.

I have this same tree mat. To be EXTRA careful, I always put a contractor-grade heavy plastic bag under the mat, and then one of those plastic tree bags down under the stand - makes it easier to get the danged thing out of the house with fewer stray needles.

A really good stand is essential for not damaging floors. I've used this one now for several years <http://www.hayneedle.com/product/st-nicks-choice-swivel-straight-tree-stand-for-12-ft-trees.cfm?redirect=false&source=pla&kwid=Trees%20newskus&tid=ARET216-1&adtype=pla&kw=&gclid=CjwKEAiA3qXBBRD4_b_V7ZLFsX4SJAB0AtEVuqBT85AylLPtFUSq2cfuyrlRmRHUJV4mVeciSk0fPhoCjZHw_wcB>; Yes, it's pricey and there are similar ones for much less, but the "similar ones" really aren't the same sturdiness. If one has ever been awakened by the sound of a tree crashing down in the middle of the night, one will understand my caution! We also always tie the tree to a bookshelf on one side - there is an "eye" screw there all the time, and we use fishing line to secure it. We started his when we had cats, but still do it. The great thing about this stand is that one gets the cup on the tree and then lowers it into the stand and can swivel it until it is "just right" and then lock it in place. It's worth every penny if one happens to have selected the one tree on the lot with a crooked trunk, a "gift" my late husband swore I had!

we always used a garbage back (large contractior), towels, padded tree skirt underlay, then the tree skirt.