A Valentine Tree

The following is a good idea from our cousin, Michael Tebbs. Getting a tree from Myres Valley above the ranch is indeed something many of us relate to. He wrote on the cousin email list the following, which he gave me permission to use in my It Makes Cents column

"Well, we finally did it. The tree got put out tonight. It was cut Nov. 9, 2008 at Myersvalley and
lasted through Feb 7, 2009. It was used as a Chrismas Tree first then
just after New years the Christmas decorations came of except for the lights
and red and white ribbons with hearts on went on along with other Valentine
decorations. It stayed green and fresh the whole time and it still
is. The needles and branches you see on the sidewalk were from my radical
job of taking the lights off. The lights were wrapped around the trunk
and branches throughout the tree so it was difficult getting them
off. As I was sitting by the tree earlier this afternoon, the smell of
fresh pine was still there. It could have lasted another month or
so. No needles fell off in the house or while taking it through the front
door. I learned something new this yearso I'll pass it on to you for your
fresh cut Myersvalley tree next year. Put the tree in the tree stand like
you normally do then add the water, but not just any water. Put
"hot" water in the tree stand. When a tree is cut, it produces
the pine gum to seal the cut - natures way of protection. If you add cold
water, the sealing pime gum remains and the tree doesn't absorb the
water. By adding hot water it melts the pine gum and the tree can absorb
the water. Maybe some of you already knew this but it was new to me and
makes sense. At least thats the way it happened this year. Happy
Valentines Day (early)"