A neutral field tray includes an attachment portion for removably attaching the tray to a mayo stand, a base coupled to the attachment portion, two sidewalls extending upward from opposite sides of the base, a distal endwall extending upward from a distal end of the base, a cover extending between the sidewalls above the base adjacent the distal endwall, and support for positioning a single instrument above the base with a distal end of the instrument underneath the cover and a proximal end of the instrument elevated relative to the distal end of the instrument. A method is also provided for using the neutral field tray.