Turning Christmas trees into fish habitats

 If you purchased a natural Christmas tree this holiday season, consider recycling it at lakes Hartwell or Thurmond. The fish will thank you. The Army Corps of Engineers is collecting used, natural Christmas trees to enhance fish habitat at the lakes. The trees will be tied in bundles, weighted with concrete anchors, and submerged in various locations marked with buoys. According to Jamie Sykes, fisheries’ biologist, the submerged trees provide cover for fish and enhance nursery habitat for juvenile fish. Among locations where trees can be dropped off are the Coneross boat ramp in Oconee County and the Twin Lakes boat ramp in Pickens County.