University of Wisconsin - Extension

Madison - If you choose your Christmas tree carefully, prepare it properly before putting it into the tree stand and keep it watered while in the stand, it should not dry out for at least two weeks.

UW-Extension horticulturist Sharon Morrisey has other some tips for a lasting and beautiful tree.

The first step is to make sure you get a fresh tree. By cutting your own Christmas tree, you'll make sure that your tree is fresh. If you buy a tree at a Christmas tree lot, select it carefully.

Avoid trees with lots of brown needles, but remember that dry needles don't always turn brown. To check for dry needles, grasp a branch firmly, and run your hand back towards the branch tip. If lots of needles fall off, the tree is already dry.

You can also check for dry needles by setting the tree upright, holding it by the trunk about halfway up and pounding the trunk stub firmly on the ground a few times. If a lot of needles fall, the tree is dry.

You can also check individual needles in different parts of the tree. If they are pliable and bend without breaking, the tree is still fresh.

After you have selected your tree, protect the needles from drying out on the drive home by wrapping the tree securely in a blanket or tarp.

Once you get the tree home, cut the trunk an inch or more up from the original cut and put it into water as soon as possible, even if you do not plan to put it in the tree stand right away.

The fresh cut increases the tree's ability to take in water. Many Christmas trees dry out quickly because they are not recut.

After you make the new cut and put the tree in water, keep the water level above the cut end of the trunk. Check the water level in the tree stand daily.

You do not need to add sugar, aspirin or any other commercially available additive to the tree water. Just keep the tree stand full of water and the tree will be fine.