Hartwell Lake accepting Live Christmas Trees for Recycling

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Hartwell Lake Office has started accepting natural Christmas trees for recycling.

As they do every year at this time, the Hartwell Lake Office will continue to accept them through January 26.

Jess Fleming is the Corps’ Natural Resources Specialist at Hartwell Lake.

Fleming said the trees are tied in bundles, weighted with concrete anchors, submerged in various locations around the lake, and marked with fish attractor buoys.

Additionally, he said anglers are also welcome to pick up a Christmas tree for their dock or lake area.

Christmas trees can be dropped off at designated donation sites.

In Georgia, those include the Big Oaks boat ramp in Hartwell and the Poplar Springs boat ramp in Gumlog.

In South Carolina, trees can be dropped off at the Twin Lakes and Coneross Creek boat ramps, as well as Mount Lebanon Elementary School in Pendleton.

Before donating your Christmas tree, you must remove all ornaments, lights, garland, and other decorations.

Additionally, only live trees are accepted, you may not donate your artificial tree.

For more information, contact the Hartwell Lake Operations Project Manager’s Office toll-free 1-888-893-0678.