DENVER -- The weekend after Thanksgiving is traditionally when most people buy their Christmas trees.

Some people will go to a Christmas tree farm and others go to tree lots or retail garden centers.

It can be hard to find a tree that won't turn brown or shed all its needles before the big day.

"First you want to decide what kind of tree you want," said Phil Steinhauer of Designscapes Colorado, Inc.

Some popular tree varieties in Colorado are Fraser fir, Noble fir, Douglas fir and Colorado blue spruce.

The Noble fir's branches are stiff, which makes it perfect for big or heavy ornaments.

Fraser firs are very fragrant.

Before shopping, take measurements of the window width and ceiling height.

"Remember, your stand is also going to bring up your tree about a foot to a half foot," said Steinhauer .

Also measure your topper and do the math.

When shopping for a tree, here is what Steinhauer suggests you look for:

Choose a tree that is green and has the fewest amount of brown needles.

Make sure that the needles are resilient - gently tug a branch of the tree; most of the needles should stay intact.

Avoid trees that have a gray or bluish tint - this can be a sign of dryness.

Inspect for insects.

Pick the tree straight up by its trunk. Drop it a few inches. If a lot needles drop off, you'll want move to another tree.

Look at the base of the tree and make sure it's straight so that it'll fit into the tree stand.

Have the tree lot give you a "fresh cut" off the base of the tree to help with water absorption

When you get the tree home, get it right into water. "In the first day, they probably take 1 to 2 gallons into the trunk," said Steinhauer.

The advice of the National Christmas Tree Association is to pick a fresh tree and keep it well-watered with plain old tap water.

Make sure it's away from heat sources such as heat vents, TVs, and fireplaces,

If you select a living tree, slowly acclimate by putting it in the garage for a couple of days.

Don't leave it in the house more than five days. "It will break its dormancy and start to bud out," said Steinhauer.

For more information on living Christmas trees, visit www.colostate.edu.

To contact Steinhauer, visit www.designscapescolorado.com.