Once you bring your tree home:

You may notice some crispy brown needles 'inside' the tree, clinging to the branches.  Pine trees shed their inside needles every fall, and sometimes these needles lodge among the branches. This is normal and not the sign of an 'old' tree.

To keep your tree fresh as long as possible, we recommend:

Once you have the tree home, make a fresh, straight cut across the tree trunk about an inch above the original cut. This re-opens the tree stem 'arteries' so it can take up water. Then, plunge the trunk end immediately into fresh water. If the water level drops below the fresh cut, a seal will form; so you'll need to cut it again.

Christmas trees can absorb up to a gallon of water per day. A well-watered tree is much less of a fire hazard and will scent your home much better than a dry one.

Check the water level in your tree stand daily, refilling as necessary.

updated November 2009