The cactus tree of a metric space (Q640324)

Let \(X\) be an \(m\)-thick, separable continuum with \(m>1\). (A \textit{separable continuum} is a compact, connected, metrizable space. \(X\) is {\(m\)-thick} means \(X\) is separated by some set of \(m\) points, but not separated by any set of fewer than \(m\) points.) The main result of this paper is the construction of an \(\mathbb{R}\)-tree \(T\) canonically associated to \(X\), called the \textit{cactus tree} of \(X\). The first step is to use the set of minimal separators of \(X\) (all those sets with exactly \(m\) points that separate \(X\)) to construct a pre-tree (roughly, a \textit{pre-tree} is a set with a betweenness structure on triples of points satisfying properties of subsets of a tree with the obvious notion of betweenness.) Then this pre-tree is shown to embed in an \(\mathbb{R}\)-tree \(T\). This step uses a new result that characterizes when a pre-tree embeds in an \(\mathbb{R}\)-tree and extends previous work of \textit{B. H. Bowditch} [Mem. Am. Math. Soc. 662, 86 p. (1999; Zbl 0961.20034)]. A final theorem says that if \(X\) is locally connected, then the cactus tree of \(X\) is simplicial. This paper can be viewed as part of a body of work in continua theory on cut points going back at least as far as \textit{G. T. Whyburn} in the 1920's [Amer. J. 50, 167-194 (1928; JFM 54.0631.01)] and including work of \textit{L. E. Ward jun.} in the 1980's [General topology and modern analysis, Proc. Conf., Riverside/Calif. 1980, 327--336 (1981; Zbl 0462.54023)]. However, the authors are motivated by developments in geometric group theory, in particular, boundaries of hyperbolic groups. The introduction does an excellent job of explaining this connection.