Although many swear by plastic evergreens, it really doesn’t speak to the true spirit of evergreens in the home. Get real evergreen branches, or if you feeling ambitious, bring in a cut Christmas tree.

Also get trees that tend to hang onto their needles. After all, if needles start to drop immediately, what message do you think is being conveyed to your subconscious?

Generally, firs hold on to their needles the longest, whereas spruces drop their needles first. The top five Christmas trees are Fraser fir, Balsam fir, Scots pine, Noble fir and white pine,” says Paul Smith, assistant manager at Sheridan Nurseries. “Fraser firs with their unbelievable fragrance hold needles the longest, about 1 month,” Smith elaborates, “Scots pine don’t hold their needles as long, only 2 ½ weeks.”

The fresher the tree, the longer it will retain its needles, stay green and hold on to its fragrance. Like regular produce there are ways to guesstimate the freshness of a tree:

Branch test

Draw the end of a branch (about 15 cm or 6 inches) through the cup of your hands. If needles come off, the tree isn’t fresh.

Stump test

Bang the stump end sharply on the ground. If green needles fall off, then the tree isn’t fresh.

Needle test

Form a circle. Fold the needle until it touches the stem. If it snaps, the tree isn’t fresh.