Christmas trees get new life and help fish at Clarks Hill

Now that Christmas has come and gone and it's time to put away the decorations, give your Christmas tree new life by dropping it off at one of many recycling locations throughout the county.

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Columbia County will be participating once again in the "Bring One for the Chipper" event on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Evans Home Depot at 520 North Belair Road. The trees will be recycled into mulch. Mulch and tree seedlings will be given in exchange for trees while supplies last.

"Trees can be dropped off beginning Friday, Jan. 2, in the far left parking lot," said Jenny Hinton, Keep Columbia County Beautiful coordinator. "Just look for the signs. Please do not take trees into the store."

No one will be available to help unload trees Friday, so those who need assistance should wait until Saturday to bring trees. Hinton also adds that mulch and seedlings will be distributed only Saturday.

Last year, more than 2,000 Christmas trees were recycled at the "Bring One for the Chipper" event.

"The State of Georgia started Christmas tree recycling 19 years ago and each year we see more and more trees that are given a second life rather than being disposed of in a landfill," said Hinton. "Columbia County wants to do its part to increase this number each year by sponsoring this event."

Columbia County has been involved in the Christmas tree recycling program since its inception and started sponsoring it five years ago.

For information on the "Bring One for the Chipper" recycling event, call (706) 312-7195.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Clarks Hill Lake also will be recycling Christmas trees. Trees can be dropped off at Riverside Middle School on Furys Ferry Road in Evans through Jan. 6.

The recycled trees will be used as fish attractors in Clarks Hill Lake, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Web site.

Christmas trees for recycling must be free of any decorations, including lights and tinsel.

Corps rangers and volunteers will be placing submerged trees around fishing piers to improve fishing habitats. Additional trees will be staged at selected ramps around the lake to be used by the public. Anyone wishing to obtain a list of locations where trees will be available can contact the Thurmond Lake office after Jan. 15.

Small trees and brush provide cover for fish, particularly as nursery areas for juvenile fish.

For information or to volunteer, call the Clarks Hill Lake Project Office at 1 (800) 533-3478.