Illinois businesses donate 875 Christmas trees to create Rend Lake fish habitats
Conservation teams submerged the donated trees to provide shelter for young fish and support the aquatic food chain.
Conservation crews in southern Illinois have submerged 875 donated Christmas trees in Rend Lake to improve aquatic habitats, according to the Times of India. The trees were provided by local businesses after the holiday season to serve as underwater shelters for fish.
The project involved the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), the US Army Corps of Engineers, and volunteers from the Sesser-Valier Outdoorsmen Club. Workers bundled the trees and secured them with weights before placing them near the South Sandusky Boat Ramp.
The IDNR stated that these natural structures are useful in man-made lakes where woody debris is often limited. The dense branches allow smaller fish to hide from predators and provide surfaces for algae and microorganisms to grow, which supports the wider food chain.
Rend Lake, which was completed in 1971, covers about 18,900 acres and is a major fishing destination for species such as catfish, crappie, white bass, and largemouth bass. The addition of the trees aims to enhance the existing network of fish attractors at the lake.
The US Army Corps of Engineers runs a seasonal programme inviting residents to donate natural trees, though artificial or flocked trees and decorations are not accepted. Because the natural material will eventually decompose, the structures will require replenishment over time.