I have not had a real tree for 15 years. The last one we had we bought 2 weeks prior to Xmas had it up till the 2nd of Jan. I kept it watered and misted. When we took it down we stuck it in a metal barrel and just for giggles we lit it. That tree went up in 9 seconds, the whole tree and the flame was about 12 feet high. It was so hot we all had to back well away. It was just like a huge match.....Scared me. If that happens in your home, you and your home are pretty much screwed. I bought a 7 foot flame retardant artificial one that year while they were still on clearance. I still have it and it is really lovely. I do miss the smell of a tree but if you buy a few branches or pick some up off the ground at a tree site (ask) you still get a nice smell. I like that I may have saved a few trees.