Computer method and apparatus for connection tree routing in visual modeling of software is disclosed. Tree routing style is represented as a property of a subject connection. A router object manages location of bendpoints of the subject connection in a connection tree. The subject connection maintains an end node as its target instead of a trunk element of the connection tree. The router object is formed of a hierarchy of routers including branch routers, tree routers and forest routers. Different routers maintain different aspects of the tree data forming display of the connection tree.