Holiday decorating starts sooner than ever these days, but that can be bad news for freshly cut Christmas trees. Your evergreen should last at least five weeks with proper care, but it can get dry and drop its needles if it isn’t maintained. The earlier you put up your tree, the more likely it will dry out before December 25. Follow these tips so your tree will look its best Christmas Day.

Buy local

Get the healthiest tree possible, and pick one that was grown at a local nursery or farm. Like a bouquet of flowers, a cut Christmas tree has a limited lifespan, so you want to make sure it is fresh.

Buy a healthy tree

If you can’t cut your own, look for a precut evergreen that isn’t shedding needles. You can check the health of a tree by running your hand along one of its branches. Look for a tree that has been kept in a cool, shaded place and out of the sun, as heat can be drying for trees. Have the nursery or farm make a new cut across the base of the trunk before you take it home. This will remove water-blocking sap from the base of the tree and allow it to drink in fresh water at home.

Give it water

Just as you would do with a bouquet of flowers, put your tree in water as soon as possible. If you won’t be displaying your tree immediately, set it in a bucket of tap water in a cool place, such your garage. Use a tree stand that has a water reservoir and fill it immediately. The width of your stand should accommodate the tree’s trunk; don’t whittle the sides of the tree to make it fit, as the bark is important for water absorption.  The National Christmas Tree Association recommends using a stand with a reservoir that can hold a gallon of water. Measure the diameter of the tree trunk and fill the reservoir with one quart of water per diameter inch. Check the water level daily and don’t let it drop below the tree’s base. Lightly spray the tree each day with water, but be sure the lights are unplugged first.

Keep away from heat

Place your tree in a location that’s away from direct sunlight and heat sources like radiators, heating vents, and fireplaces. Choose Christmas tree lights that aren’t warm to the touch; LED lights run cooler than incandescent ones do. Try not to overload your tree with lights or keep them on too long, as they can be a fire hazard. You can also put a humidifier near the tree to keep the air moist.

Remove it

It can be sad to take down a Christmas tree, but it’s necessary. A dry tree decorated with bright lights can cause a fire. Try to upcycle and recycle your Christmas tree. Use it as firewood, cut the trunk into wood rounds for coasters or ornaments, mulch your yard or garden beds with its needles, or ask if your town or municipality can recycle it for you.