A system for storing target images for object recognition predicts a querying performance for the target image if the target image were included in a search tree of a database. The search tree has a universal search tree structure that is fixed so that it does not change with the addition of new target images. The target image is selected for inclusion or exclusion in the search tree based on the based on the querying performance, wherein the fixed tree structure of the search tree does not change if inclusion of the target image is selected.