[Got the Bug]

I usually try and make a case for not having a tree, but that plan never flies.

For years, we used to go up in the mountains right outside of Santa Cruz to cut a fresh tree week or so after Thanksgiving. More often than not, the tree would be dry and brittle by Christmas day.

About 4 years ago, we started buying a cut tree from a local nursery that was grown in Oregon. Those things last and rarely drop any needles. The cut tree imported from Oregon might be months old, but it's much better than the tree I cut myself.