Who is Trezane Shackleford (Tree) from The Man Who Loved Clowns and what is their importance?

Trezane Shackleford (Tree) is Avanelle's older brother and Delrita's love interest. Like Avanelle, Tree moves to Tangle Nook when their father is sent to prison for a crime he didn't commit. His family lives in a tiny house next to McDonald's, where they survive on government assistance, a position that earns them a lot of mockery. Unlike Avanelle, Tree is straightforward with his friends about his family's past, which earns him a bit of respect, and admiration from shy teenagers like Delrita who would never dream of being so upfront.