Live trees suffer a great deal of stress when they are brought indoors and used as Christmas trees. To increase the tree's chances of survival, keep it indoors for only a few days. This will reduce the chances that it will break dormancy in the warm environment of your home. While the tree is indoors, keep it away from heat as much as possible and check the moisture in the rootball daily.

Dig the hole for your tree well in advance, and store the dirt you remove from the hole in a place where it won't freeze. When you plant the tree, water thoroughly and spray with an antidesiccant to protect it from the drying effects of winter winds.

Selecting a Fresh Christmas Tree

These freshness tests will help you select a tree that still look good on Christmas morning:

--Hold the tree upright and thump it on the ground. You shouldn't see a shower of needles hit the ground.

--Check the cut end of the tree. A fresh tree will have sap flowing.

--Bend the needles slightly to make sure they will snap back.

--Before placing your tree in water, cut a slice at least an inch thick off the base.