In regards to this post here:
http://forum.umbraco.org/yaf_postsm23752_Context-Menu-CustomizationBrowse-Only-PermissionsPublish-To-Permissions--PATCH-RELEASED.aspxI'm not sure if anyone is actively looking at upgrading the Tree code, but I'm quite happy to look into this. I've had to go through nearly every ounce of the tree code to figure out how to customize this application for one of our clients.
I have some good ideas on how to make the Tree more streamlined and to do away with all of the hard coded values and if statements (yuck).
If anyone has started on this or if Niels, you can give me the go ahead to get involved with this, i think its a much needed aspect of Umbraco and i'm pretty sure it will open up a world of flexibility in regards to the admin section of Umbraco.