diff --git a/Tools/idle/TreeWidget.py b/Tools/idle/TreeWidget.py
index 21898ed8b21..bb348bf69ae 100644
--- a/Tools/idle/TreeWidget.py
+++ b/Tools/idle/TreeWidget.py
@@ -64,6 +64,12 @@ def __init__(self, canvas, parent, item):
         self.x = self.y = None
         self.iconimages = {} # cache of PhotoImage instances for icons
 
+    def destroy(self):
+        for c in self.children[:]:
+            self.children.remove(c)
+            c.destroy()
+        self.parent = None
+
     def geticonimage(self, name):
         try:
             return self.iconimages[name]