The drier the air in the house, the more water the tree will need. Having a tree in the house can be a fire hazard, Philp notes. Keep the tree away from heat sources such as wood stoves and hot air registers. The warm air will dry the branches out faster. If you have one, make sure it is operating properly.
Some consumers prefer to buy a live tree, with the intent of planting it in the yard later.
Plan ahead, and have your hole dug ahead of time. Placing a potted tree outside after Christmas will cause the roots to freeze and the tree to dehydrate. Just as with cut trees, it is important to keep a living tree well watered as long it stays in the house.