What's the Best Way to Keep Your Christmas Tree Fresh? | Holiday Science Project	Every year about 25 million Christmas trees are purchased in the United States according to the National Christmas Tree Association. Keeping it fresh is very important not only for preserving its beauty but also to prevent it from becoming a fire hazard. With proper care a Christmas tree can stay fresh for a month or even longer.	Everyone knows that you must add water to the reservoir in the base of a Christmas tree  � and as a rule of thumb a typical tree absorbs a quart of water for each inch of its diameter. Will adding other household products to the water help keep them fresher longer?	There is some debate about whether adding any kind of mixture to the water helps keep a tree fresher longer. Tchukki Anderson a staff arborist for the Tree Care Industry Association says many people have had success by mixing a tablespoon of sugar or corn syrup in the water. However she says water is usually enough.    	A recent study at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point confirmed that keeping fresh-cut trees watered will reduce needle loss refuting claims that watering a dead tree is pointless. However the study's author tree scientist Les Werner says additives such as sugar aspirin or even vodka don't help. Clean water still works the best.	But don't take their word for it. Try the experiment and find out for yourself how to keep your Christmas tree fresher longer. If your family uses a real Christmas tree or fresh evergreens for decoration borrow a few small cut branches and try this experiment. You could also try using cut flowers such as carnations.	Prepare the solutions  � Be sure to label your jars:	Prepare the test samples  � make sure to label them!	More Holiday Science Experiments	More Science Fair Projects