Abstract: A method codes a hierarchical subband system of coefficients of a wavelet transform that is representative of an image. One step of this method includes receiving the coefficients of a wavelet transform. A second step includes selecting a first plurality of thresholds ranges. A third step includes comparing the coefficients of a tree structure of coefficients against the plurality of threshold ranges during a first single traversal of the tree structure. A fourth step includes coding the coefficients of the tree structure with symbols based on whether the coefficients are or are not within at least one of the plurality of threshold ranges. A method may include defining a set of symbols for coding a hierarchical subband system of coefficients of a wavelet transform that is representative of an image.