Merry Christmas Vince, rwatson and all.
We finally figured out how to get the tree to take in any water and that was to not have the lot guys cut it. I cut the trunk when we got home where it could then go right into the stand. I think in years prior having the lot guys do it by the time it gets setup the fresh cut must get tight and capped up with sap. So far since we set it up, even before Thanksgiving which is unusual, its been drinking water like crazy.