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For some, putting up the family Christmas tree is a matter of finding the time. For others, it’s just a matter of tradition. Whatever your reason for waiting, there are a few things you should do in order to get the freshest tree possible. Stand the tree upright and give it the “scratch, thump and bend” test. First, reach in and scrape the trunk of the tree….underneath the bark the tree should be moist and green. Then, lift the tree and thump it down hard…. If there’s a shower of needles, it’s too dry. Finally, bend a small branch…If it snaps, it’s too dry. Many trees are cut four to eight weeks before they go on sale so it’s important to check… remember before you buy… “scratch, thump and bend.”