Lots of folks wait till late in the season to buy a Christmas tree. For some, it's a matter of finding the time to make the purchase; for others, it's "the longer you wait the better the deal" syndrome; and for still others, it's just a matter of tradition (putting up the tree just before Christmas Day). Whatever your reason for waiting, there are things you should know and do to get the freshest tree possible -- one that'll stay green and safe for many days to come. Stand the tree upright and give it the "scratch, thump and bend" test. First, reach in and scrape the trunk hard. The bark should be moist and green underneath. Then, lift the tree and thump it down hard. If there's a shower of needles, it's too dry. Finally, bend a branch way over. If it snaps, the tree's too dry, and won't last very long. Many trees are cut four to eight weeks before they go on sale and, thus, become a fire hazard. So remember before you buy to "scratch, thump and bend." And that's the On The House tip for today.