Not all Christ-mas trees are identical and not all are of good quality, according to David Robson, Extension Educator, Horticulture with the Springfield Extension Center. Choosing the best tree on the lot helps insure long enjoyment as well as in-home safety. The best way to select a fresh tree is to visit a local Christ-mas tree farm. In most cases, customers pick out the desired tree and the owner cuts the tree. However, if no tree farms are available, you'll have to select a specimen from the garden center, discount store or corner lot. But you can still end up with a fresh tree. There are five recognizable steps for selecting a fresh tree. None should be used separately to determine a fresh tree. 1. Look at the tree's color. Fresh evergreens have a bright green color. Yellowed needles may be an indicator of a tree cut in October and stored in cool conditions until the holidays. Color can vary with the year. Season's with early frosts or hot, dry summers can result in off colored needles. Many pine trees, such as jack and scotch, tend to yellow in the fall. Colorants may be sprayed on the tree to mask this undesirable color. Look carefully at the needles to see if any colorants are used. Color is also dependent on the type of light present. Be wary of lots with yellow and other colored light bulbs. Buy the tree during the day with the sun shining. Color should not be used as the only characteristic of a fresh tree. 2. A fresh tree will have an evergreen odor. Grab a few needles in your hand and lightly squeeze. Smell your hand. Does it smell like a pine forest? If not, the tree may not be fresh. Try another. Low temperatures reduce the tree's aroma. If temperatures are below 20 degree Fahrenheit, don't expect too much evergreen scents. 3. Needles should be flexible on a fresh tree, provided the temperatures are above 20 degrees F. Grab a handful of needles and carefully bend back. Needles should be flexible on a fresh tree. If they snap and break, select another tree. At low temperatures, the water remaining in the needles can freeze. The ice crystals provide some inner strength. The result is the needles snap. 4. The cut or butt end of a fresh tree will be sticky or sappy. Lift the tree up and look at it. Run your hand over the end to feel any resin drops. Many lots recut trees after unloading from the distributor. The butt end will ooze some resin even if the tree was cut months before. 5. Needles should remain on a tree. Shake the tree and notice if needles cascade on the ground. Tap the butt end firmly on the ground several times. Do needles fall? Remember, some older needles are likely to fall from the tree's interior. However, if you more than a few needles fall, the tree probably isn't fresh. Be careful when performing any of these tests. Fresh needles will break if bent too far. Continually bouncing a tree on the ground will cause normally tight needles to fall. Wait until you found the tree you want to buy before testing it. These practices can destroy the appearance of the tree for others who might visit the lot after you. Treat any tree as if you were the lot owner. A fresh tree can dry out quickly if exposed to the open air during transport. If trees aren't bagged, tied or wrapped after buying, ask the salesman if the service can be provided. Wrap the tree with an old sheet or blanket if the seller doesn't provide any service. Secure the tree tightly. Ideally place the tree within the vehicle. If the tree doesn't fit, allow the butt end to hang out. There is less wind-drying from the cut end. 714