by Angela Harris

Created on: September 20, 2010

Artificial Christmas trees just don't compare to having a live Christmas tree in your home for the holidays. The aroma of fresh pine or balsam seems to permeate the whole house, making your entire home smell like a Christmas winter landscape.

However, live Christmas trees can be potential fire hazards if not cared for properly. And if you take good care of your Christmas tree, you will have less needles to clean up after the holidays. So, here are a few tips on keeping your Christmas tree fresh and green for  the entire holiday season:

Having a fresh, green Christmas tree starts at the Christmas tree farm or lot where you purchase it. You need to inspect Christmas trees to be sure that they are fresh before you buy them. Smell it. Does it have a fresh tree fragrance? It should.

Next, look at the needles. They should be green and shiny. Avoid buying Christmas trees with needles that look dull or brown.

Now touch the needles. Do they break easily or feel brittle? Fresh Christmas trees will display needles that are flexible. Test this further by running your hands down the branches. A few needles will naturally come off, but if many needles fall to the ground, don't buy it.

Another way to test if the Christmas tree is fresh is to grab the tree by the trunk. Pick it up slightly and let it drop back down. If lots of needles come off, avoid this tree. If after inspecting several trees, none of them pass the freshness test, find another place to buy your Christmas tree.

Once you've purchased your Christmas tree and arrived home, keep it outside until you are ready for it. Cut about an inch off the bottom of the trunk and place it in a large pail of water. Once you are ready to bring your live Christmas tree inside, use a stand that can hold at least a gallon of water.

When deciding the best location for a Christmas tree, there are some considerations you should keep in mind. There are definite places to avoid when displaying a Christmas tree. These are any areas that will decrease your tree's longevity or that will contribute to creating a fire hazard. Don't choose locations near any type of heat source. Also avoid positioning live Christmas trees near sunny windows, as this will cause your tree to dry out much more quickly.

Be sure to keep your Christmas tree watered. Check the water level and fill it as needed. Christmas trees need a lot of water daily to stay fresh- about a quart. So don't forget to water it every day. This will not only keep your Christmas tree looking fresh and green, but also help avoid a potential fire hazard.

If you should forget to water the Christmas tree and the water level gets below the base of the trunk, remove the tree from the stand. Cut off about an inch of the trunk. Replace it back in the stand with water. If you don't do this, the tree won't be able to absorb any more water at all. It will get dried out and become brown. This will cause a dangerous fire hazard in your home.

Keep in mind that live Christmas trees sometimes are in short supply. They may sell quickly. Shop early to get the best selection and have a better chance of finding a fresh Christmas tree. Christmas tree farms usually open on the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Shop for your live Christmas tree when they first open for business, if possible.

Following these tips on keeping your Christmas tree fresh and green should help guarantee a safe Christmas season, Plus you will get to enjoy the irresistible holiday aroma of a fresh Christmas tree. What a homey Christmas memory to cherish.

Learn more about this author, Angela Harris.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.