It’s Here! The 2025 CWCA Tree Planting Program

CWCA’s Environmental Committee Tree Planting Program

Dear Chesterbrook Woods Residents,

If you’ve dreamed of adding a beautiful shade tree to your yard, now is the time to act!

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Back by popular demand, the CWCA Environmental Committee has again teamed up with McLean Trees Foundation to offer Chesterbrook Woods residents the opportunity to buy sizeable elms, oaks and black gum trees which get delivered and planted for only $195 per tree.

That’s less than half what you would pay at a local nursery. And it’s easy! Clink on the blue link below “Start the Ordering Process…” and fill out the form to let us know your tree preference(s). Then CWCA and McLean Trees Foundation will do the rest, including setting up a time to come to your house to help you select the right tree and planting it for you in the fall (late October-early November).

The trees are as substantial as the savings, standing 7-10 feet tall and ready to grow a foot or more every year. All are native trees, especially beneficial to birds and other wildlife, and come in 15-gallon containers.

It’s not only the birds and bees that will benefit. A tree in your yard can boost your home’s property value and beautify our neighborhood. Its shade will cool you in summer, help reduce storm water runoff, reduce utility bills, cleanse the air and sequester carbon. Over the last two years, the Tree Champions program has planted 59 trees in Chesterbrook Woods!

Each household may plant up to four trees. Here are the tree choices (click on tree names to see pictures and more information):

BLACK GUMAlso known as a tupelo tree, this beauty boasts glossy dark green leaves that turn a brilliant 
red, with orange, yellow, and purple sometimes mixed in, in autumn.

AMERICAN ELMNew disease-resistant varieties mean that we can bring back this beautiful American favorite.

PIN OAKMore pyramidal in shape than other oaks, with branches that begin fairly close to the ground, 
this popular tree grows quickly.

NORTHERN RED OAK Despite its name, this tree is native to our area. It’s a fast grower with better fall color than most oaks.

SWAMP WHITE OAK This relatively fast grower, is as its name suggests, tolerant of wet soil. It grows into a handsome pyramidal form in its youth, then the canopy broadens as it matures.

WHITE OAK A majestic oak, with a broad, well-branched canopy that is also most beneficial to wildlife.

WILLOW OAKNotable for its slender willow-like leaves, this fast grower is well-suited to McLean’s poor soil.

CLICK HERE TO START THE ORDERING PROCESS*

Once we receive your order, we’ll schedule a site visit and after the site visit, will provide details on how to pay McLean Trees Foundation.

*Email questions to cwcatreeplanting including if you have an issue accessing the google order form.

Best Regards,
Chesterbrook Woods Environmental Committee

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CWCA Security Alert

Dear neighbors – This is to alert you that there has been an uptick in activity this past week with several car break-ins on Forest Lane and a stolen car last night in Chain Bridge Forest.

As always please lock all of your doors to your house and cars. Most importantly call the FCPD non-emergency line at 703-691-2131 immediately to report the incident or if you see anything suspicious. The odds of the police catching the offenders goes up dramatically if they are alerted immediately.

Regards,
Cabell Fooshe
CWCA Security Director

CWCA News: Minutes from CWCA Spring Meeting – April 29, 2025

The CWCA Board Spring 2025 CWCA Semi-Annual Meeting.

Tuesday, April 29, 2025, 7:00-8:30

There were 32 people in attendance in person at Chesterbrook Elementary School.

Welcome, Call to Order – 7:00 (Lizzy Conroy)

Jimmy Bieman started speaking at 7:05

  • There are two infrastructure projects for Chesterbrook Rd and residents: the sidewalk project and a stormwater management project. These projects have interdependencies, especially near Albemarle Rd and more broadly in the stretch from Maddux Ln to near Forest Ln.
  • The latest sidewalk plan involves two Phases: Phase 1 is the sidewalk installation where no coincident stormwater management work is required – from Forest Ln to 41st St; Phase 2 is from Maddux Ln to Forest Ln where both projects are essential. Also, certain utilities need to relocate service to support the sidewalk project – eg, water line relocation. For Phase 1, water line relocation should be done by early 2026 and sidewalks by summer of 2026.
  • Phase 2 will be completed thereafter (no firm date given but no sooner than 2027).
  • To track progress, you can find the Transportation Design Division monthly status reports here: Hungarter
  • County Leaf Collection: there is now NO plan to stop this service.
  • County Budget season, final vote happens 2 weeks from CWCA meeting. You can go to the website to get more details https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dranesville/. Bierman reported that commercial real estate tax receipts have not fully recovered, so to raise more revenue, the Board of Supervisors decided to institute a meals tax instead of increasing the tax rate on residential properties. He addressed overall spending, saying 51% goes to public schools, the rest goes to county services. Bierman talked about BoS efforts to cut spending. An example is closing the Pimmit Hills Senior Center since the Lewinsville Center is close by and attendance at Pimmit is down (total savings $400K). An audience member asked when will MHS be renovated? Answer was that School Board sets that…Sandy Anderson should know the answer, but Mr. Bierman did state that MHS is the 3rd most overcrowded school in the county.
  • Mr. Bierman finished speaking at 7:42

Revised CWCA Bylaws Update – 7:43 (Richard Elliott)

The board decided with 20+ yr old bylaws that it was time to update them. Some of the updates include:

  • Introduces concept of voting by email. A member suggested that the bylaws more broadly permit voting by electronic survey. It was agreed without objection to adopt that change to the revised bylaws.
  • Adds specified duties of each of the officers, instead of simply referring to Robert’s Rules of Order.
  • Permits businesses located in Chesterbrook Woods (such as assisted living facilities) to become non-voting members upon payment of dues.
  • Eliminates the requirement for an executive committee and a nominating committee.
  • Provides that member meetings shall be conducted informally (with Robert’s Rules of Order no longer binding).
  • Makes changes to align with CWCA’s current fiscal year (October-September)
  • Provides that CWCA is non-partisan and non-sectarian.

A member suggested that the revised bylaws be changed to limit member votes to one vote per household on any given matter (rather than two votes per household). After discussion, this change was agreed to by a show of hands.

A motion was made to adopt the revised bylaws, subject to the two changes specified above. This motion was approved by a show of hands, meeting the two-thirds affirmative vote threshold specified in the existing bylaws. (A blackline showing the changes to the draft revised bylaws distributed prior to the meeting is attached to these minutes, and the revised bylaws are being placed on the CWCA web site.)

Treasurer’s Report – 7:20 (Susan Garrahan)

  • Mid-year update provided. The current balance was $29K at the start of fiscal year. We received $8K in dues, and with major spending on snow removal ($11,100), the Octoberfest party ($4,500), directories ($1,800), and insurance ($1,400) leaving a current balance of about $18K.

Pimmit Run Protectors Update

Marion Cooper presented:

  • Thanks to everyone who came to the BBQ, had a great time, the event made some money for the cause. On June 1st there will be another event, wine tasting
  • Will Shiffman spoke as well, trial is set for June, about 35 homeowners were sued, he gave an update on mediation, time frame, etc..

Committee Reports – 8:05

Social Committee (Lisa Mayr, Oktoberfest party chair)

  • Lisa Mayr gave a recap on the very well received Oktoberfest party. Attendance was about 170 neighbors. It was catered by Mission BBQ, with music, kids moon bounce, and a kids costumer parade. Please let Lisa know if you have suggestions for improvements for the next party.

Security Committee – (Cabell Fooshe)

  • There was an egging in the neighborhood. A reminder to everyone, If you see a suspicious car, take a picture of the license plate. Cabell will send out a “What Not to Do” email (to deter burglars)

Pineapple Patrol –

  • Let Bonnie Sadler know if there are new neighbors. Block Captains, please also let Bonnie and/or the Board there is a new neighbor on your block.

Snow Committee –

  • It was a busier snow removal season than recent years and neighbors were very happy with the service. Talked about snow, everyone is happy, need another person on the snow committee, Steve is single threaded. (someone asked to add here is what to expect if you are interested in the position) One of the things is scout when there is a snowstorm predicted and note where things were cleared and where they weren’t.

Environmental Committee-

Some suggestions:

  1. Plant a shade tree – Back again by popular demand, the CWCA Tree Champions program offers residents the option to buy a native shade tree at a low price with all the work done for you. Watch for an email from CWCA with more info.
  2. Save trees/remove invasive vines – CWCA has many invasive vines lurking which can choke or kill your trees. Visit www.plantnovatrees.org/rescuing-trees for info on how to remove vines and rescue your trees.
  3. Plant native plants – As you plan your gardens, consider planting native plants because they need less water and care than non-natives and they support native butterflies, birds and pollinators. Check out plantnovanatives.org for more information.
  4. Skip the mosquito spraying, even organic – If a spray kills mosquitoes, it kills pollinators too.  For those who are interested in natural mosquito abatement (Dump, Dunk, and Screen), here is a guide https://www.upmd.org/222/Community-Mosquito-Control
  5. Compost food waste – Food waste generates an estimated 8-10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.  Instead of disposing of food waste in the garbage, you can compost materials at home, collect food waste and drop it off at the McLean Farmer’s market or other local compost drop off sites or sign up with a local vendor to pick up your compost at the curb each week.

Wrap-Up – 8:30 (Board)

  • Emily is taking over as block captain for block 4. A sincere thank you to Doug Broome for his many years of service as the Block Captain for block 4, CWCA is very grateful for your service.

Thank you,

CWCA Board

This Saturday – Pimmit Run Protectors Fundraiser – Rockland BBQ Truck!

Good morning!

As a reminder, the Pimmit Run Protectors fundraiser party is this Saturday, April 26th from 5pm -7pm. Location is the Grady Randall Court cul-de-sac. They will have a very special cake, guided tours of Parcel A, and opportunities to donate to their cause. The rain date is May 4th, same time, same place. All are welcome!

Below are the pre-ordering instructions for our Rocklands Food Truck.

The deadline to pre-order is Friday April 25th at 12:00 pm.

Pre-ordering details are listed here:

· https://rocklands-bbq.square.site/

· Pre-ordering may not be visible on google chrome, but other web browsers have no problem

· Other locations/trucks may be listed and active for the same week. Please select Pick Up at 1408 Grady Randall Court if there are options

· Once the correct location is selected the date will automatically change to the date and start time of our event

· You may schedule what time you would like to pick up by selecting "Change" under the location and switching from "ASAP" to "Later" and selecting the desired pickup time.

· Some options may be available on pre-ordering only

· If you have any issues ordering, you may contact carmen

Thank you and the PRP Team is looking forward to seeing neighbors and supporters soon!

The PRP Team

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CWCA – More Information on Aggressive Dog

Further to our e-mail of February 28, we want to provide more information about an ongoing aggressive dog situation in our neighborhood. This is the fourth email the Board has sent out suggesting caution while walking near the intersection of Laburnum Street and Basswood Court. There have been multiple biting incidents with this particular dog. Animal Control continues to be involved. If you have any concerns or need additional information please contact the Board.

Thank you,

CWCA Board

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Pet Concerns and Car Break-Ins

Good morning – CWCA has a couple of updates.

1. Please to be cautious near Basswood and Laburnum where neighbors have experienced a large dog getting loose and racing towards passersby or running into the road. Please be alert when walking or driving in this area.

2. Car Break-Ins – Earlier this week a car on Oak Lane experienced a break-in. Note that the affected car had a dead battery and nothing of value inside. This is a good reminder to lock all cars at ALL times – day or night – and to remove anything of value, garage remotes, or keys from the car when you park it on the street or in your driveway.

Please see below should you experience a break-in:

FOR NON-EMERGENCY REPORTING — the Fairfax County government website has a link to report "on-line" a variety of issues. You can also upload photos, evidence, etc.

From Light Up Chesterbrook…Thank you!

Good evening CWCA – One of the main goals of the annual Light Up Chesterbrook event, apart from building community in the neighborhood and having a good time, is to raise money for local charities. We fund this through our sales of luminaria kits, and we distribute what we have after we’ve covered our expenses.

This year we were able to distribute $3,700 to four organizations – Share of McLean, Northern Virginia Family Services (NVFS), McLean Volunteer Fire Department, and the McLean Matters fund managed by the McLean High School PTSA, which supports MHS students and families in need. All of them have asked us to pass along to you how much they appreciate the support they get from our neighborhood.

One of our charities, NVFS, has shared a 100th Anniversary report that surveys what they have done for the community over the years. You can download a copy of the report here.

A huge THANK YOU to everyone in Chesterbrook Woods, Chain Bridge Forest, and Potomac Hills who help make this a success by purchasing luminaria kits from us, volunteering your time, putting out candles, hosting gatherings in your yards, supporting our food trucks, and just enjoying a magical evening with your neighbors. We estimate that we had something north of 10,000 candles in the neighborhood this time around. You are all awesome!

We’ll be back before you know it. In just six months or so, it will be time to begin organizing next December’s event, and we’ll be reaching out for help. In the meantime, happy Spring!

From the whole Light Up Chesterbrook family … Chris, Leah, Maria, Amy, Melinda, Nancy, Robin, Carla, Amanda, and Dave

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Oktoberfest & Halloween Party

We are excited to invite you to the annual Chesterbrook Woods Oktoberfest party on Sunday, October 27th from 3-6pm at the Laburnum Street Cul de Sac! 

We are leaning into the Halloween theme this year with festive games, crafts, and a kids costume parade! Mission BBQ will be catering our party, so we request your RSVP by October 20th, so that we can plan the food order. 

Click here to RSVP!

What to Expect:

  • Food catered by Mission BBQ
  • Drinks
  • Halloween games, crafts & face painting
  • Kids costume parade at 4pm
  • Moonbounce, music, and more!

What to Bring:

  • A dessert to share
  • Water / juice boxes (optional)
  • Annual dues payment ($20 via Paypal or Check)

We also need volunteers to make this event awesome (especially at the moonbounce), so please sign up to help if you’re able! The sign-up link is in the RSVP form above. We look forward to seeing you at the party!

Questions? Reach out to the planning committee via CWCAFallFun@gmail.com