Proper care for your cut tree

• Once a tree is cut, if the stump is not immediately placed in water, the sap at the cut surface will begin drying. A seal of dried sap will form over the cut stump in four to six hours, preventing the tree from absorbing water. Therefore, before you set up your tree, make a fresh cut across the base of the trunk at least a quarter inch (but no more that one inch) up from the original cut and place the tree immediately in a tree stand that holds water.

• Keep the stand full of water. Hot tap water is best. The tree will absorb as much as a gallon of water in the first 24 hours and one or more quarts each day thereafter. Water (plain old tap water) is the most important thing to a tree because it keeps the needles from drying out and dropping from the tree. Water is also necessary to keep the tree fragrant.

• Once your tree is set up, make sure the stand is kept full of water so that it does not dry out. If the stand is allowed to dry up for more than a couple hours, remove the tree from the stand and make a fresh cut across the base of the trunk at least a quarter inch (but no more that one inch) up from the original cut. Return the tree to the tree stand and fill the stand immediately with hot tap water. If the tree is allowed to dry up, it may never recover.

• It is not necessary to gradually introduce your tree to warm temperatures before bringing it indoors. However, once the tree is set up, allow time for the tree to warm up before decorating. The branches will relax and spread out as the tree approaches room temperature.

• Keep your tree away from heat and draft sources such as fireplaces, furnaces, radiators and television sets. These will dry up the tree beyond recovery.

• Only use indoor lights on your indoor tree. Check lights to make sure cords and connections are in proper working order. Never use more than three light sets per extension cord.