Christmas trees to be recycled

 The Hartwell and Thurmond lake project offices of the Army Corps of Engineers are accepting natural Christmas trees for recycling through February 15 at Hartwell and January 8 at Thurmond. The recycled trees will be used as fish attractors. Trees will be tied in bundles, weighted with concrete anchors, and submerged in locations with fish attractor buoys. Park ranger Jess Fleming says all tree trimmings, including ornaments, tinsel, lights and garland, must be removed before dropping off trees. At the Hartwell project, Christmas trees may be dropped off at the Big Oaks Recreation Area or Poplar Springs Access in Georgia, and the Twin Lakes or Coneross boat ramps in South Carolina.