In real trees this year, consumers face a growing number of choices. The most important choice, growers say, is to go with the real deal, and they say more people are doing so, even young couples who grew up with "fake" trees.

E-Mar Acres Tree Farm isn't one of the biggest tree farms in Indiana County, but Ron Mancabelli offers at least nine varieties, including the most popular "without a doubt" Fraser and Douglas firs. He also offers the rarer Canaan fir from West Virginia and a Concolor fir, which, he says, "smells like citrus, almost like tangerines."

Soon he'll be able to sell newer varieties, which have been popular in Europe, called Noble and Nordman firs. Still, he says, most customers don't choose based on the name. "It's whatever is appealing to the person's eye."

For a map to some of the places where you can buy, or cut, a real tree, visit the Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association at www.christmastrees.org.

Keep the tree outdoors -- protected from the wind and sun -- until you're ready to decorate it. Make a fresh 1/2-inch cut on the base of the trunk when you bring it inside. Make the cut perpendicular to the stem axis, not at an angle or into a v-shape, which makes it far more difficult to hold the tree in the stand and also reduces the amount of water available to the tree.

Use a stand that fits your tree. Avoid whittling the sides of the trunk down to fit a stand. The outer layers of wood are the most efficient in taking up water and should not be removed.

Water, water, water. They need between two pints and a gallon of water per day.

Miniature lights, compared with larger bulbs, will reduce drying of the tree. Also, place your tree away from the fireplace or heat source, which also will cause the tree to dry out more quickly.

When it's time to remove the tree, consider recycling. Go to www.realchristmastrees.org and type in your ZIP code to find a recycling program near you.

-- Sources: Pennsylvania Tree Growers Association and the National Christmas Tree Association