How to choose a tree that will survive the holiday

Don't you hate it when you bring home a Christmas tree, and by the time the holiday rolls around there are more needles on the floor than on the branches? Not only is it ugly and messy, but a dry tree is a fire hazard as well. Here are a few steps you can take to protect your tree from the grinch:

Scope out the lot

1 Full sun + cut trees = a pinchy, green carpet on your floor. Buy from a lot that keeps its inventory in a well-lit shaded area, preferably under a canopy.

The tap test

2 Before buying a tree, hold it upright and tap it on the ground a few times. If needles fly off the branches, it's on its way out. Put the tree back and select another. It's a good idea to bring gloves along, even if you're not shopping on a particularly cold day. They will protect your hands from scratches.

Study the stub

3 Look at the cut end of the trunk. Visible sap is a good sign the tree has been cut recently.

Get touchy-feely

4 Are the needles dry and brittle? Soft needles equal a fresh tree.

You get what you pay for

5 Choose a tree that suits your style and your needs. My tree of choice is the Fraser fir, which has short needles that seldom shed. Fraser's branches are strong and will more easily support heavy ornaments. It's not a cheap tree, but you get what you pay for. (I'd rather pay a few extra bucks if it means I won't have to vacuum so often. The holidays are busy enough!)

Be cool

6 When you bring your treehome, place it in a reservoir-type stand within 6 to 8 hours and position it away from direct heat. This includes radiators, forced-air heating vents, sunny windows and fireplaces, all of which could speed the ultimate decline of a cut tree.