Selecting a special tree for your holiday celebration is as easy as a trip to your nearby Fred Meyer. You'll find a wonderful selection of fresh-cut Douglas, Noble or Grand Fir trees (selection varies by store). These fresh, fragrant trees are locally grown and make a wonderful centerpiece for your holiday.

Here are a few simple tips to help you select a great tree and ensure it stays looking great through-out the holidays:

1. When selecting a tree, make sure the bottom trunk area is long enough to allow it to fit into your tree stand. Otherwise, it will be necessary to remove large branches near the base, which could ruin the tree's appearance.
2. If you aren't putting the tree up right away, store it in an unheated garage or some other area out of the wind and cold (freezing) temperatures. Cut 1" off of the base and put the tree in a bucket of water.
3. When you bring the tree indoors, cut ½-1" off of the base of the trunk. Don't cut the trunk at an angle, or into a v-shape, which makes it more difficult to hold the tree in the stand and also reduces the amount of water available to the tree. Don't get the cut surface dirty.
4. Place the tree in a stand that holds at least one gallon of water (as a general rule of green thumb, stands should provide 1 quart of water per 1" of stem diameter). Use a stand that fits your tree. Some stands have circular rings at the top, so the ring must be large enough for the trunk to go through the hole (avoid whittling the sides of the trunk down to fit a stand -- the outer layers of wood are the most efficient in taking up water and should not be removed). Other stands are open, which may allow a greater range in trunk size.
5. Do not place your tree near a fireplace, heater vents, direct sunlight, TV or other heat sources.
6. Always keep your tree well supplied with water. Check the water level in the stand at least once each day as trees may use several quarts of water a day. Never let the water level fall below the base of the tree. If this occurs, the cut-end of your tree can seal over, preventing further water uptake. The tree must then be taken down and a fresh cut made to allow water uptake. Drilling a hole in the base of the trunk does not improve water uptake.
7. Adding aspirin, soda water, bleach, sugar or commercially prepared mixes to the water isn't necessary. Research has shown plain water will keep a tree fresh.
8. Displaying trees in water with proper care is the most effective way of maintaining a tree's moisture. Some flame retardants can damage needles and actually increase the rate of moisture loss from trees.
9. Miniature lights produce less heat and reduce the drying effect on the tree. Check all Christmas tree lights for worn electrical cords. Use UL approved electrical decorations and cords. Do not overload electrical circuits. Always turn off the lights when leaving the house or when going to bed.
10. It's often a nuisance to water a Christmas tree once it's decorated with a tree skirt and surrounded by presents. Here's an easy solution: Buy a funnel and a 3-4' length of vinyl tubing to slip over the funnel outlet. Fasten the funnel/tube with a twist-tie or twine in an out-of-the-way but reachable part of the tree. Extend the tubing down the tree trunk and into the tree stand reservoir. Now you can water the tree through the funnel without bending over or disturbing the tree skirt and ornaments.
11. Recycle your tree after Christmas. Many communities will pick up trees and turn them into chips. Or consider putting the tree in your backyard as a winter feeding station for birds… just place bread and suet among the branches! Never burn any part of a Christmas tree in a wood stove of fireplace.