Databases and methods for storing, processing and searching data in database tree structures are provided. More particularly, a method for processing data stored in database tree structures for use in data packet routing applications, and a method of searching a database containing data stored in a tree structure, using a search key, are provided. The tree structure includes a plurality of nodes. Data relating to a first node and a second node is stored in the database. The data includes a first node key and a second node key which is prefixed by the first node key. The tree structure is searched using a search key by traversing the second node and determining if the first node key has a prefix which matches the search key.