Nothing surpasses the joy of a real Christmas tree as the focal point for a traditional Christmas celebration. A real Christmas tree enhances the Christmas ambience in a home with its fresh pine aroma, the glow and twinkle of its lights, its branches hanging with an endless variety of manufactured or handmade ornaments and its sequined skirt covered with colorfully wrapped gifts.

All of the benefits of having a real Christmas tree as part of your Christmas celebration can be extended through the entirety of the Christmas season with a little tender care of your real Christmas tree. We recommend the following ways to properly care for your real Christmas trees:

• Cut off about 1-2 inches of the trunk of your real Christmas tree before you place it into a stand. This simple measure will better enable the Christmas tree to absorb sufficient water to maintain its freshness.
  
  
• Place your tree away from heat sources, electrical appliances such as TVs which generate heat or open fires. This will reduce the fire risk and prevent the tree from drying out too quickly.
  
  
• Make certain that you have the right size stand. The National Christmas Tree Association recommends that that one quart of water for each inch of the trunk's diameter.
  
  
• Check the water level daily. If the water drops below the trunk, the trunk may seal itself and not be able to absorb water. Some people believe that adding sugar or a sugary soft drink to the water in your tree stand will enhance both the absorption rate and the preservation of your real Christmas tree. Neither is correct. Straight water is the best way to help keep your real Christmas tree fresh.
  
  
• Inspect light sets prior to placing them on the tree and replace all worn sets.
  
  
• Do not overload electrical circuits. Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord.