Corps of Engineers offers recycled Christmas trees

Officials with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announces the remainder of trees from the Christmas tree recycling program is available at several boat ramp sites.

This year’s successful Christmas tree recycling program was due to the partnership efforts of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Thurmond Lake, Riverside Middle School in Evans, Ga., Pollard Lumber Co., Davis Hauling Co., and the U.S. Forest Service’s Long Cane Ranger District.

Trees can be picked up at the following ramps: Amity, Big Hart, Gill Point, Fishing Creek/Hwy. 79, Cooter Creek, Long Cane/Hwy. 28, and Little River SC/Hwy. 81. Trees will remain at the boat ramps until they are gone, or until April 15. The trees, used as fish attractors, should be placed at an appropriate depth so they do not create a navigation hazard.

Corps fisheries biologists submerged some of the recycled Christmas trees at 12 attractor sites. For information on the sites, go to the website at www.sas.usace.army.mil/ lakes/thurmond/fishing.htm.

Small trees and brush provide cover for fish and are particularly valuable as nursery habitat for juvenile fish. In addition, they provide habitat for aquatic insects - essential food during the early states of life for most fish species. The constructed brush pile also makes an excellent location to fish.