Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for clamping the trunk of a Christmas tree or the like, consisting of a stand, with at least three clamping jaws (5), which are disposed in a base plate (1) with an opening (2) for accommodating the trunk, are distributed about this opening (2) and can be moved into the accommodating opening (2) for clamping the trunk.In order to be able to adapt the clamping jaws easily to the cross section of the trunk, to clamp the trunk securely with a small lift and to undo or eliminate the clamping easily, a fastener, which can be moved in two opposite directions and, in one direction moves the clamping jaws (5) out of the accommodating opening (2) and, in the other direction, initially releases the clamping jaws (5) so that they can move to lie against the trunk and subsequently presses the clamping jaws (5) with the required clamping force against the trunk, is assigned to the base plate (1).

Abstract: A tree stand featuring a plurality of retaining elements and a single clamping element which acts upon all of the retaining elements via a load transmission element. The load transmission element comprises a flexible, substantially inextensible connecting part having tensile strength which initially moves all of the retaining elements essentially free of a retaining force into contact with the trunk of the tree, and then presses all of the retaining elements against the tree trunk with an essentially identical retaining force.

Abstract: A Christmas-tree stand (2) essentially consists of a housing (6) in which two clamping bars (18, 20) are rotatably supported so as to allow a swivelling movement around two support pins (22, 24). The activation of the clamping straps (18, 20) takes place via a central clamping device which essentially consists of a threaded rod (26) with two inversely threaded sections (32, 34) constructed thereon. When rotating the threaded rod (26), the free ends of the clamping bars (18, 20) are moved along by the nuts (30, 30') running along with the threaded sections (32, 34), so that a Christmas-tree trunk can be fixed or fastened between the clamping bars (18, 20).