SC to collect discarded Christmas trees for artificial reefs

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina residents are being asked to recycle their discarded Christmas trees to help the state continue its efforts to attract fish by building artificial reefs. Every winter the Department of Natural Resources gathers hundred of used Christmas trees to refurbish angling sites along Lake Murray, The Post and Courier reported. “An exposed shoreline might be suitable for fish, but they might need a little encouragement.” Each habitat contains roughly 30 trees, each typically 5 feet to 8 feet tall, said Jason Bettinger, one of DNR’s fisheries coordinators. Midlands residents can contribute to the effort by disposing of their used trees at one of the several pickup locations, including St. Andrews Park in Columbia, Caughman Road Park in Hopkins and Friarsgate Park in Irmo.