This is an old phrase that has become condesed and reversed in the original meaning. Originally to be in a tree was to be stuck somewhere mentally, emotionally or situationally that you could not easily escape from on your own. The proverbial
cat stuck in a tree that the proverbial fireman needs to rescue. Of course, cats are perfectly capable of getting out of
trees, which is why we do not see many
cat skeletons in trees. However, it is not uncommon to see a fellow human, so distraught be
whatever is affecting them, they they have lost their way and cannot see a way out. Proverbially, they are stuck in a tree and need someone to
talk them down, out of their tree.
My life had dust gone insane, fortunately Jimmy came over and talked me down, out of my tree.
Beck: Sarah
Palin "talked me down out of my tree" after my "one moment of real
fear"