ANDERSON, S.C. (AP) -- After taking gifts from under the Christmas tree, officials in South Carolina now want to turn that tree into a gift itself.
The Independent-Mail of Anderson reports that discarded trees will be thrown into Lake Hartwell, where they can provide nesting areas for fish.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will accept trees at several drop-off points through Jan. 15.
A statement from the Corps says trees will be tied in bundles, weighted with concrete anchors and submerged in various locations marked with fish attractor buoys.
Small trees and brush provide cover for fish, particularly as nursery areas for juvenile fish. They also provide habitat for aquatic insects, essential food during the early stages of most fish species.
Decorations must be removed, and no artificial trees will be accepted.
