Christmas Tree Graveyards
Placed by Harpers Square Explorers
Established July 21, 2002
Fairfax County
Reston, Virginia
Dogs on leash ok

It's only 75 cents to drive out to Robert Simon's dream, Reston, a planned
community of work, home and play in rolling Northern Virginia among
preserved woods. These directions will take you through a creek valley of
tall trees in one of the natural areas of Reston, Virginia. From the
Beltway, I-495, take the Dulles Toll Road, route 267, west to Hunter Mill
Road. Left on Hunter Mill and right on Sunrise Valley Drive. Take the third
left onto Cross School Road. First Right on Midsummer Drive. On your left
you will come to Dayflower Court. There on the right is a small park. Park.

Walk between the two benches down a steep path and across a gully. You'll
pass the first Christmas Tree Graveyard. Follow the path down into the woods
all the way down into woodpecker valley. Keep an ear open for Woody
Woodpecker's relatives. Yes the big ones with the red feather crowns live
here. Did you know you can tell which way is north in a forest by observing
which side the moss grows on trees? Be careful there is poison ivy around
here. You'll come to a T at the path that runs the length of this small
valley. Turn right.

The path heads north along the narrow swath cleared of trees for the water
line. Look for tall dead trees with woodpecker holes. You'll pass a tall
manhole cover and a muddy spring. You're following a creek way off to the
side. Along the way, you will also see tall tree, split in two and way up
high. You'll come up to the creek where you should cross it and continue
following the narrow clear-cut line. Finally you'll come to a paved path.

Cross bridge 31. Turn left over the bridge onto a dirt path leading north
along the creek again. Very soon the path will jog right and on the right,
you'll see a tall rotting tree stump. Walk around it in a U-turn and follow
the fallen tree about 15 paces to the Christmas Tree Graveyard.