Encoding / decoding method and apparatus using a tree structure

The present invention relates to an encoding / decoding method and apparatus using a tree structure. The present invention provides a method for encoding information pertaining to an image, comprising the following steps: grouping predetermined regions having image information into a plurality of groups, determining the minimum or maximum value of the information to be encoded in the grouped regions, said information pertaining to the grouped regions, and generating node values for each of a plurality of layers to the uppermost layer; and encoding the difference between the node values for each of the layers and the node values of the upper layers, or the difference between the node values for each of the layers and the values determined in accordance with a preset reference. According to the present invention, various items of information on the image are encoded and the encoded data are decoded using a tree structure, thereby improving encoding efficiency and image compression efficiency.