Abstract: There is disclosed a method for constructing and displaying tree structures with automated data processing equipment. A focused view of a portion of the tree is provided to enable an operator to perform editing and evaluating functions on the tree. The focused view presents a view of this portion of the tree structure with a geometry different than what would be used if the entire structure were to be portrayed. This provides a view with sufficient resolution to be highly readable. In the preferred embodiment, the focused view is comprised of a focus node of the tree, its parent node along with the branch connecting the parent node and the focus node, the sibling branches of the connecting branch, all successor nodes of the focus node, and the branches connecting the successor nodes to the focus node.