Yet another Christmas tree app

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C++

Here is the code for painting a simple Christmas tree in 8 bit retro style:

#include <cstdlib>
#include <iostream>
#include <string>
#include <time.h>

using namespace std;

int main()
{
    int treeheight = 15;
    int i, j;
    string str;
    string tabs = "\t";
    
    cout << endl;
    
    for (i = 0; i < treeheight; i++)
    {
        str = tabs;
        for (j = 0; j < treeheight-i; j++)
            str += " ";
            
        if (i > 0) str += "#";
        else str += "*";

        srand((int)time(NULL));
        for (j = 1; j < 2*i; j++)
            if (rand() % 4) str += " ";
            else str += "o";
                
        if (i > 0) str += "#";
        
        str += "\n";
            
        cout << str;    
    }
    
    str = tabs + "  ";
    for (i = 0; i < 2*treeheight-3; i++)
        str += "#";
    str += "\n";
    
    cout << str;    
    
    str = tabs;
    for (i = 0; i < treeheight; i++)
        str += " ";
    str += "|\n";
    
    cout << str;
        
    cout << endl;
    
    system("pause");
    
    return 0;
}

So far so not bad.

Here my question:

How is it generally possible to bring colour and sound into a console app
to make the printing more comfortable, more professional.

I guess "cout <<" is not the right candidate because of its weakness.

Some C++ code snippet or perhaps a link to a former code project will help.

Thanks in advance.