HOLIDAY DECORATING : Check Color, Scent, Needles to Find a Hardy Christmas Tree

What are the prettiest, longest-lasting trees for decorating your home? According to the National Christmas Tree Assn., tops for needle retention are Scotch pine, Douglas fir, white pine and balsam fir. The cost ranges from $3 to $5.65 per foot.

Northern Christmas Trees & Nursery, in Merrilan, Wis., offers these tips for choosing a fresh-cut tree that will last through the holiday season:

* First, check the tree for good, deep color. Then, make sure it emits a strong, fragrant pine scent. Pluck a needle from the tree and place it between your thumb and forefinger to see how flexible it is. If it bends, the tree is healthy; if it breaks, the tree is too dry.

Finally, lift the tree off the ground slightly and let it drop back down on its trunk.

If many needles fall off the branches, it’s probably a sign that the tree isn’t fresh (needle loss near the trunk area is normal, however).

* To prolong the life of your tree during the holidays, keep it in a cool place--away from sunlight--until you’re ready to trim it.

Don’t forget to make a fresh cut right through the trunk before placing it in the stand, so the tree can be easily nourished, and be sure to water daily (between a quart and a gallon).

For long-lasting power, add a little tree preservative to the water, available at your local nursery.