Caring for a Cut Christmas Tree

1. Remove bottom branches that keep the trunk from sliding into its stand. Prune ragged or protruding branch tips. Scrub the stand and rinse with a diluted bleach solution.

2. Using a sharp saw, cut an inch off the trunk base to remove the sappy seal that formed over the previous cut. A fresh cut is crucial to your tree's water uptake and longevity.

3. Insert the tree into the stand, straighten, and secure. Fill the reservoir with warm water. Trees drink heavily at first. Replenish as needed, keeping the water level high.