Corps Accepting Real Trees for Recycling Beginning December 26

We haven’t celebrated Christmas yet…officially, but the US Army Corps of Engineers wants those of us who have live Christmas trees to consider donating them after the holidays to the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers Hartwell Lake Office.

The office will be accepting natural trees for recycling beginning Monday, December 26.

The recycled trees are used as fish attractors and insect habitats in Hartwell Lake.

Trees are tied in bundles, weighted with concrete anchors, submerged in various locations, and marked with fish attractor buoys.

Jess Fleming, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Natural Resources Specialist at Hartwell Lake tells WLHR News small trees and brush provide cover for fish and nursery areas for juvenile fish.

In addition, they provide a habitat for aquatic insects which serve as an essential food source during the early developmental stages of most fish species.

Before donating your live Christmas tree to the Corps, make sure all ornaments, lights, and tinsel have been removed prior to dropping the trees off.

Drop-off locations are sites at the Big Oaks boat ramp at the Big Oaks Recreation area in Hartwell and at the Poplar Springs boat ramps in Gumlog.

In South Carolina, you can drop off your live Christmas tree at Twin Lakes and Coneross Creek boat ramps.

Additionally, Mount Lebanon Elementary School in Pendleton, S.C., is accepting trees from Dec. 26 to Jan. 16, 2023.

Donated trees may also be picked up by anglers at any time for personal use.

If you plan to pick up a tree to use remember the Corps requires trees to be anchored in 8-12 feet of water, but not in the main lake channel or around private docks.

For more information, contact the Hartwell Lake Operations Project Manager’s Office at 888-893-0678, or visit the website at Hartwell.

And for a list of fish attractor locations and GPS coordinates, check them out online at GPS Coordinates.