Recipe For Keeping Your Christmas Tree Fresh

By Phran Novelli

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Now, by special request, here's my recipe for what to put in your Christmas tree stand. Some of you didn't get a chance to write it down last year, so here you go: Water.

That's it! Just water. Christmas tree formulas and additives are supposed to keep the water clean and help the tree take up the water, but really, all your tree needs is water and plenty of it.

Cut off about an inch of the trunk right before you put the tree into water so that sap can't seal over the bottom. If that happens your tree can't drink in any more water - and that's why you never want to let your tree stand run dry.

Really fresh trees can drink up to a gallon a day - and frankly many stands don't hold enough water. So, check the stand every morning and before you go to bed at night. Keep a jug of water by the tree so it's handy for refilling - to keep your tree very fresh while enjoying a Merry Christmas.