ASHEVILLE -- It's beginning to look a lot like - well, you know the rest. When it comes to Christmas trees, you can't get much better than North Carolina. North Carolina ranks second in the nation for Christmas trees behind Oregon. Federal statistics say the state supplies about 4 million trees with about $1 billion.

State agriculture department specialist Bill Glenn in western North Carolina says that when the trees are cut and brought into your home, they're pretty thirsty.

"Put them in a stand that will hold plenty of water, a gallon or more. Even a fresh-cut tree may take up to two or three quarts the first day you have it in the stand. After that, maybe a quart a day," Glenn said.

Glenn said that weather and other factors made for a very good crop this year, and North Carolina trees will be showing up in a lot of places.