Make sure you tree is kept watered.  This is the number one thing you can do to insure a  fresh tree that will stay fresh the entire holiday season.  A freshly  cut tree will drink up to a gallon of water a day for the first day or two.  This rate will slow after the first few days but keep an eye on it.  There are lots of convenient ways to water a tree available now - water dispensers that look like presents, little spouts that you can hide in the branches so you can conveniently add/monitor water.

Don't place your tree over ( or in front of) a heat register, radiator or fire place.  Contrary to popular myth, a fresh cut live tree is NOT a fire hazard when kept watered.   It has been shown in tests that an artificial tree will support a flame but a fresh live tree that is kept watered will not.

If you cannot put up your tree the same day it is cut, then place it in a pail of water in the garage/basement until you are able to put it up.   This is probably the most important tip because if a tree sits dry for more than 12 or so hours, the little pores on the cut end of the trunk will seal off with sap. 

If more than 24 hours passes befoe you can get your tree inro water the pores in bottom of the trunk will seal off with sap.  If you  cut a thin (1/4 inch) slice sliver off the bottom of the trunk it opens up the pores again so the tree  can drink.

A freshly cut tree will last for several weeks without any preservatives if they are kept watered.  There are preservatives available commercially that are pet safe (we carry one that you can purchase) and some people swear by adding a little sugar or using warm water.

To keep that "new tree" smell in your house all holiday season, just grab a few small  branches  and crush  the needles with your fingers  or cut off a few small branch tips with a scissors - this will  release new fragrance into the room.  You can have a fresh cut fragrance renewed every day!

We have  "Keep it Green" product in a small bottle that sells for less than 2 dollars and makes 2 gallons of tree preservative.  Ask about this.