How do you know if you're getting a quality tree, one that won't shed its needles before the packages are unwrapped?

Even if it's going to be days or weeks before you put up the tree, shop for one as soon as you see them appear on the tree lots around town. That way you can take your tree home and store it in a cool, shady place so it doesn't continue to dry out.

When shopping for a tree, do a freshness test, advises the National Christmas Tree Association. Gently grasp a branch between your thumb and forefinger and pull it toward you. Very few needles should come off in your hand if the tree is fresh. Shake or bounce the tree on its stump. You should not see an excessive amount of green needles fall to the ground. Some loss of interior brown needles is normal and will occur over the lifetime of the tree.

Make a fresh diagonal cut at the butt end of the trunk and stick the tree in a bucket of water until you want to tote it indoors.

Before bringing the tree into the house, saw the butt of the tree again, squaring off the diagonal so the tree will soak up more water. Sprinkling water on the branches and needles before you decorate the tree will help it retain freshness.

Keep the tree stand filled with water. A tree absorbs about a gallon of water in the first 24 hours and one or more quarts a day thereafter. Water is important because it keeps the needles fresh and intact and keeps the tree fragrant.

If the water drops below the base of the tree for four to six hours, a seal of dried sap will form over the cut stump.

This seal prevents the tree from absorbing water when the tree stand is refilled, advises the NCTA. If the seal forms, another fresh cut needs to be made, and that's not easy when you're dealing with a decorated tree in a house.

To prolong the life of your Christmas tree, Virginia Cooperative Extension recommends using this solution when you refill the tree stand: To one gallon of hot water, add one-fourth cup of iron chelate, two cups of light corn syrup and four teaspoons of chlorine bleach. The iron chelate is the horticultural iron material that is used to correct iron deficiencies in azaleas and camellias.

You also can spray your tree with an anti-wilt material to reduce water loss. These products are usually available in aerosol cans at garden centers and florists.

And don't select a tree that's too big for your home. Somehow trees in the great outdoors always look small but they sure can swallow up space once they meet the living room ceiling.

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