These trees looked nothing like today's professionally grown pruned and shaped trees. Keep tree in a sheltered, cool place to protect it from the wind and sun until you are ready to decorate it. Before you set up your tree, make a fresh, straight cut across the base of the trunk, and place the tree in a stand or bucket. A tree will absorb as much as 4 litres of water in the first 24 hours and one or more litres a day thereafter. Water is important because it helps to prevent the needles from drying and dropping.
Water also keeps the tree fragrant.
Keep the tree stand filled with water. A seal of dried sap will form over the cut stump in four to six hours if the water drops below the base of the tree, preventing the tree from absorbing water later when the tree stand is refilled. If a seal does form, another fresh cut will need to be made. In addition, keep your tree away from the sun and draft. Test your light cords and connections before hanging them on the tree to make sure they are in good working order.