One of the best childhood memories I can remember growing up was going with my dad to pick out a Christmas tree.

He seemed to always make it special for us, even though to him I am sure it was one of the things he had to do to keep peace in the house.

No matter the reason why you choose a live Christmas tree for your family, here are a few things to keep in mind to keep the tree looking good and safe all season long.

1. Make sure it will fit

Dad always looked for the freshest tree that would fit inside the house. It is best to pick a tree at least a foot shorter than your ceiling.

2. Test it for freshness

My dad also did a battery of “tests” to ensure the tree did not dry out too much. One such test was to shake and bounce the tree on the ground. It allows you to see if too many needles fall from the tree. You also can look for insects that might fall, too.

Another test is to bend the individual needles. If they bend without snapping, then the tree is in good shape.

3. Give the trunk a fresh cut

I remember one of the first things my dad would do to the tree when we got it home was cut the last inch or so from the trunk. I always wondered about that procedure. After going through forestry school, I now understand why. Think about what happens if you get a small hole in a straw that is in your drink. All of a sudden it becomes very difficult to drink through the straw.

It is the same principle with trees. Trees can be thought of as being made up of straws. When a tree is cut from the stump, an air gap is created at the cut and the tree can no longer suck up water.

By cutting the last bit, you access new, fresh cells to allow the tree to take in water. This is key to keeping the tree as fresh as possible.

4. Keep it away from warm air

Placement of the tree is important in the home. Try not to get it too close to a fireplace or heating duct. If the only place for the tree is close to a heating duct, get a diverter to keep the warm air off the tree.

5. Inspect the lights

Lights are always part of the tree decorations. Inspect the string of lights as you put them on, because their condition may change over time if they have been exposed to rodents or heat.

When you leave the house or go to bed, turn off the lights.

6. Check the water levels frequently

Always be aware of the amount of water in the tree stand. If the water level is below the bottom of the tree, it can be hard to restart the flow of water again. Keeping the tree hydrated will be your No. 1 way of keeping it fresh and from becoming a fire hazard.

Christmas trees in the home are a great way to build family traditions and memories for your children. Keep these points in mind to keep it safe.

Michael Wheeler is county extension coordinator for the UGA Cooperative Extension office in Hall County. You can contact him at 770-535-8293, www.hallcounty.org/extension. His column appears weekly on www.gainesvilletimes.com/life.