Example of a Hierarchical Model Relation in CakePHP This is what you usually need instead of Tree Behavior

Category.php

<?php

class Category extends Model {
	public $name = 'Category';
	
	public $hasMany = array('Children' => array(
			'className' => 'Category',
			'foreignKey' => 'parent_id'
		));

	public $belongsTo = array('Parent' => array(
			'className' => 'Category'
		));
}