Needles should be fresh and flexible and should not come off in your hand. Bump the trunk of the tree on the ground. If green needles fall off the tree, it is not fresh. You can expect a few brown needles to fall from the tree. Choose another tree if many brown needles fall off.
Most farms have several different species to choose from.
Many also provide hand saws and will help you load your tree. Some farms will let you preselect a tree and tag it for later cutting. A list of Christmas tree farms is available from the South Carolina Christmas Tree Association and from local Clemson Extension offices. Will not support heavy ornaments. Very fragrant with lemony mint aroma.