Don’t throw away those Christmas trees

A reminder that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, Forest, Fish, and Wildlife Section is  accepting real Christmas Trees for recycling as fish habitat at Hartwell Dam and Lake Project through Jan. 26, 2024.

Artificial trees will not be accepted. Real trees may be dropped off at the following locations:

GEORGIA

• Big Oaks boat ramp (Hartwell)
• Poplar Springs boat ramp (Hartwell)

SOUTH CAROLINA

• Twin Lakes boat ramp (Hartwell)
• Coneross boat ramp (Hartwell)

All decorations, tinsel, lights, garland, bulbs, etc., must be removed from the trees before dropping them off. Dumping of wireframe wreaths, yard debris, artificial trees and household trash at the sites is prohibited.

At both lakes, trees will be tied in bundles, weighted with concrete anchors, and submerged in various locations marked with fish attractor buoys by Corps personnel. This creates shelter and food for bait fish which attracts crappie, bass, and sunfish species. Ultimately, the recycled trees benefit the fish as well as the angler.

Also, anglers can pick up recycled trees to create fisheries habitat at a location of their choosing. Christmas Trees should be anchored with concrete blocks at depths of 8-12 feet, out of the main navigable channels and away from private docks. 

For more information, call 888-893-0678 for more information. To see GPS coordinates at Hartwell, visit the Fish Attractor GPS Location linked in this story on wnegradio.com.