def _create_lhs(self, parent):
""" Creates the left hand side or top depending on the split. """
model = NodeTreeModel(node_manager=node_manager)
model.root = os.path.abspath(os.curdir)
self._tree = NodeTree(parent, model=model)
self._tree.on_trait_change(self._on_tree_anytrait_changed)
return self._tree.control
