Abstract: A Christmas tree stand of the kind having a container to receive water and a tree trunk and a plurality of stabilizing legs radiating outwardly from the side walls of the container includes a novel clamping mechanism comprising a plurality of gripping means, each made up of a plunger having a concave tree clamping portion, a pair of parallel arms extending therefrom with free distal ends and resiliently joined at the front of the tree clamping portion. The arms of the plunger extend through a guide member and resiliently releasable locking means are provided, whereby the plunger can be readily pushed forward to press against the tree trunk but is locked against outward movement unless and until the arms of the plunger are squeezed together to release the locking means.