def METHOD_NAME(assignments, initial=None):
    """
    Builds a tree of dictionaries from lists of LineagePair objects
    in 'assignments'.  This tree can then be used to find lowest common
    ancestor agreements/confusion.
    """
    if initial is None:
        tree = {}
    else:
        tree = initial
    if not assignments:
        raise ValueError("empty assignment passed to build_tree")
    for assignment in assignments:
        node = tree
        for lineage_tup in assignment:
            if lineage_tup.name:
                child = node.get(lineage_tup, {})
                node[lineage_tup] = child
                # shift -> down in tree
                node = child
    return tree