Suspect Arrested In Destruction Of Iconic ‘Door Tree’ In Hamden

HAMDEN, CT — An arrest has been made in connection with the vandalism of Hamden’s iconic “Door Tree” last month, the Regional Water Authority announced Tuesday. The agency’s police department has arrested the person responsible for cutting down the more than 200-year-old tree on RWA property, according to officials.

The person was charged with third-degree criminal mischief and third-degree criminal trespass, according to the RWA.

The RWA was notified July 18 that the “Door Tree,” located off New Road in Hamden near Clark’s Pond, was cut down.

“Careful examination by the RWA’s forester and environmental management team determined that this tree is a white oak, estimated to be over 200 years in age,” according to a news release. “The Door Tree was in exceptionally good health for a tree of its age and would have likely lived for many more years were it not the target of vandalism. Using evidence gathered at the scene and information on the circumstances of the tree provided by the RWA’s forester and environmental management team, the RWA Police were able to identify the person responsible within 48 hours of launching their investigation.”

Larry Bingaman, president and CEO of the Regional Water Authority, said that the vandalism of the Door Tree “is a tragedy, but today we can be proud of the top-notch collaborative work done by the RWA, the Hamden Historical Society and others to resolve this senseless crime.”

“The Door Tree was an iconic landmark, and it has been taken from our community forever in a terrible act of thoughtless vandalism,” said David Johnson, Hamden’s municipal historian and a member of the Hamden Historical Society. “While we are saddened by the loss of the tree, we are glad the party responsible will soon be held accountable for this crime. With this investigation behind us, the Hamden Historical Society and the RWA are planning to memorialize the Door Tree’s history so that it can continue to be appreciated by generations to come.”

Officials say the RWA received hundreds of messages of support from around the world after the Door Tree was destroyed.

“Concerned individuals from throughout Connecticut, the United States and around the world expressed their disappointment after seeing photos of this historic icon’s ruin,” officials wrote in the news release. “The RWA received messages of support from as far away as Canada, the Philippines and Israel. The destruction of this unique and historic tree clearly struck a chord with people from around the world. The RWA hopes that they will honor the memory of the Door Tree by doing their part locally to protect trees and the natural environment in their own communities.

“While what caused the unique growth of the Door Tree is unknown, the RWA believes the Door Tree gained its distinctive doorway-like arch from an acorn that sprouted while sitting atop a hemlock tree or downed log. The acorn maintained this unique shape as it grew into a tree and its base rotted away. While the Door Tree no longer stands, the RWA’s forester noted that another plant has begun to grow from its stump, working against the odds to grow and thrive, just as the Door Tree did many decades ago.”