diff --git a/lib/Doctrine/Tree.php b/lib/Doctrine/Tree.php
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9738d7900
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/Doctrine/Tree.php
@@ -0,0 +1,110 @@
+<?php
+/*
+ *  $Id$
+ *
+ * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
+ * "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+ * LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR
+ * A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT
+ * OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
+ * SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+ * LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE,
+ * DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY
+ * THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT
+ * (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE
+ * OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+ *
+ * This software consists of voluntary contributions made by many individuals
+ * and is licensed under the LGPL. For more information, see
+ * <http://www.phpdoctrine.com>.
+ */                   
+/**
+ * Doctrine_Tree
+ *
+ * @package     Doctrine
+ * @license     http://www.opensource.org/licenses/lgpl-license.php LGPL
+ * @category    Object Relational Mapping
+ * @link        www.phpdoctrine.com
+ * @since       1.0
+ * @version     $Revision$
+ * @author      Joe Simms <joe.simms@websites4.com>
+ */
+class Doctrine_Tree
+{
+    /**
+     * @param object $table   reference to associated Doctrine_Table instance
+     */
+    protected $table;
+
+    /**
+     * @param array $options
+     */
+    protected $options = array();
+
+    /**
+     * constructor, creates tree with reference to table and any options
+     *
+     * @param object $table                     instance of Doctrine_Table
+     * @param array $options                    options
+     */
+    public function __construct(Doctrine_Table $table, $options)
+    {
+        $this->table = $table;
+        $this->options = $options;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Used to define table attributes required for the given implementation
+     *
+     * @throws Doctrine_Tree_Exception          if table attributes have not been defined
+     */
+    public function setTableDefinition()
+    {
+        throw new Doctrine_Tree_Exception('Table attributes have not been defined for this Tree implementation.');
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * this method is used for setting up relations and attributes and should be used by specific implementations
+     *
+     */
+    public function setUp()
+    {
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * factory method to return tree instance based upon chosen implementation
+     *
+     * @param object $table                     instance of Doctrine_Table
+     * @param string $impName                   implementation (NestedSet, AdjacencyList, MaterializedPath)
+     * @param array $options                    options
+     * @return object $options                  instance of Doctrine_Node
+     * @throws Doctrine_Exception               if class does not extend Doctrine_Tree
+     */
+    public static function factory(Doctrine_Table $table, $implName, $options = array())
+    {
+        $class = 'Doctrine_Tree_' . $implName;
+        if (!class_exists($class)) {
+            throw new Doctrine_Exception('The chosen class must extend Doctrine_Tree');
+        }
+        return new $class($table, $options);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * gets tree attribute value
+     *        
+     */     
+    public function getAttribute($name)
+    {
+      return isset($this->options[$name]) ? $this->options[$name] : null;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * sets tree attribute value
+     *
+     * @param mixed            
+     */
+    public function setAttribute($name, $value)
+    {
+      $this->options[$name] = $value;
+    }
+}