Special Report: Keeping Your Christmas Tree Fresh

And of course decorated trees.

All part of the Christmas season. A time for which some wish lasted well into the new year - leaving them looking for ways to keep their green trees fresh .

Ken Nagoa Eugene, Oregon
"I figured, let's try adding vodka to the bottom of the tree."

But do christmas tree tonics like this actually work?

Christian Oest, Mahoney's Garden Center
"I wouldn't recommend alcohol, probably the easiest thing to do is just a warm water as opposed to a cold water."

And the National Christmas Tree Association agrees issuing a strong statement against christmas tree nitecaps and other home remedies alcohol is actually a chemical that is used to dehydrate or remove water from plant tissues.

So here are some tips if you want to keep your tree looking fresh until after the holidays:

- make a fresh cut to the tree's trunk before putting the in a stand.

- keep the tree away from heat - like fireplaces - heat vents and direct sunlight.

- lower the room temperature to help slow the drying process.

- use miniature lights and remember to always turn off the lights when leaving the house or going to bed.

But tree experts say clean water remains your best bet to keep the tree green and fresh.

Christian Oest, Mahoney's Garden Center
"In the first few hours it's a good idea to get that tree into some water, even if it's a bucket in the backyard."

And once it's in water -- keep it topped off.

Christian Oest, Mahoney's Garden Center
"A lot of people wait a few days and then bother to check on the tree and by that point it's too late and it's already plugged itself up."

So how will you know when your tree is ready to go? Experts say brittle needles on the outside of the tree are a sure giveaway that it's drying out.