Real tree

In mathematics real trees (also called $\mathbb R$-trees) are a class of metric spaces generalising simplicial trees. They arise naturally in many mathematical contexts, in particular geometric group theory and probability theory. They are also the simplest examples of Gromov hyperbolic spaces.

Definition and examples

Formal definition

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A triangle in a real tree

A metric space $X$ is a real tree if it is a geodesic space where every triangle is a tripod. That is, for every three points $x, y, \rho \in X$ there exists a point $c = x \wedge y$ such that the geodesic segments $[\rho,y], [\rho,z]$ intersect in the segment $[\rho,c]$ and also $c \in [x,y]$. This definition is equivalent to $X$ being a "zero-hyperbolic space" in the sense of Gromov (all triangles are "zero-thin"). Real trees can also be characterised by a topological property. A metric space $X$ is a real tree if for any pair of points $x, y \in X$ all (topological) embeddings $\sigma$ of the segment $[0,1]$ into $X$ such that $\sigma(0) = x, \, \sigma(1) = y$ have the same image (which is then a geodesic segment from $x$ to $y$).

Simple examples

• If $X$ is a graph with the combinatorial metric then it is a real tree if and only if it is a tree (i.e. it has no cycles). Such a tree is often called a simplicial tree. They are characterised by the following topological property: a real tree $T$ is simplicial if and only if the set of singular points of $X$ (points whose complement in $X$ has three or more connected components) is discrete in $X$.
• The R-tree obtained in the following way is nonsimplicial. Start with the interval [0,2] and glue, for each positive integer n, an interval of length 1/n to the point 1−1/n in the original interval. The set of singular points is discrete, but fails to be closed since 1 is an ordinary point in this R-tree. Gluing an interval to 1 would result in a closed set of singular points at the expense of discreteness.
• The Paris metric makes the plane into a real tree. It is defined as follows: one fixes an origin $P$, and if two points are on the same ray from $P$, their distance is defined as the Euclidean distance. Otherwise, their distance is defined to be the sum of the Euclidean distances of these two points to the origin $P$.
• More generally any hedgehog space is an example of a real tree.

In mathematical context

Real trees often appear, in various situations, as limits of more classical metric spaces.

Brownian trees

A brownian tree is a (non-simplicial) real tree almost surely. Brownian trees arise as limits of various random processes on finite trees.

Ultralimits of metric spaces

Any ultralimit of a sequence of hyperbolic spaces is a real tree. In particular, the asymptotic cone of any hyperbolic space is a real tree.

Limit of group actions

Let $G$ be a group For a sequence of based $G$-spaces $(X_i, *_i, \rho_i)$ there is a notion of convergence to a based $G$-space $(X_\infty, x_\infty, \rho_\infty)$ due to M. Bestvina and F. Paulin. When the spaces are hyperbolic and the actions are unbounded the limit (if it exists) is a real tree.

A simple example is obtained by taking $G = \pi_1(S)$ where $S$ is a compact surface, and $X_i$ the universal cover of $S$ with the metric $i\rho$ (where $\rho$ is a fixed hyperbolic metric on $S$).

This is useful to produce actions of hyperbolic groups on real trees. Such actions are analyzed using the so-called Rips machine. A case of particular interest is the study of degeneration of groups acting properly discuntinuously on a real hyperbolic space (this predates Rips', Bestina's and Paulin's work and is due to J. Morgan and P. Shalen).

Algebraic groups

If $F$ is a field with an ultrametric valuation then the Bruhat--Tits building of $\mathrm{SL}_2(F)$ is a real tree. It is simplicial if and only if the valuations is discrete.

Generalisations

$\Lambda$-trees

If $\Lambda$ is a totally ordered abelian group there is a natural notion of a distance with values in $\Lambda$ (classical metric spaces correspond to $\Lambda = \mathbb R$). There is a notion of $\Lambda$-tree which recovers simplicial trees (for $\Lambda = \mathbb Z$) and real trees (for $\Lambda = \mathbb R$).

Real buildings

The axioms for a building can be generalized to give a definition of a real building. These arise for exemple as asymptotic cones of higher-rank symmetric spaces or as Bruhat—Tits buildings of higher-rank groups over valued fields.

See also

• Dendroid (topology)
• Tree-graded space