Draw a tree with variable node number

Question

I would like to draw a tree in tex that is more like a sketch of a tree: It should contain variable node numbers.

Important is, that the dots are contained in the tree drawn. Is that possible with an automated command?

You see, since my painting skills are limitated I don't want to use TikZ and simply add the nodes this tree contains. I would like to say: Here is my structure, draw it for me. All I found is drawing trees with complete defined nodes.

EDIT

Without any style definitions here is a minimal example of what I thought about:

\documentclass{standalone}

\usepackage{tikz}

\begin{document}
\tikzstyle{every node} = [rectangle,
                draw=black,
                fill=gray,
                text=black,
                text centered,
                rounded corners]

    \begin{tikzpicture}         [sibling distance=8cm]

    \node {Document}
        child {
            [sibling distance=2cm]
            node (p1) {Paragraph}
            child {
                node (e11) {Element}
                child {
                    node {AttributeSet}
                }
            }
            child {
                node (e1n) {Element}
                child {
                    node {AttributeSet}
                }
            }
            child {
                node {AttributeSet}
            }
        }
        child {
            [sibling distance=2cm]
            [sibling distance=2cm]
            [sibling distance=2cm]
            node (pn) {Paragraph}
            child {
                node (en1) {Element}
                child {
                    node {AttributeSet}
                }
            }
            child {
                node (enn) {Element}
                child {
                    node {AttributeSet}
                }
            }
            child {
                node {AttributeSet}
            }
        }
    ;

    \path[draw,dashed] (p1)--(pn);
    \path[draw,dashed] (e11)--(e1n);
    \path[draw,dashed] (en1)--(enn);
\end{tikzpicture}

\end{document}

I would prefer the dashed line to be just three/four dots.

Answer 1

Perhaps I don't understand the question...

Without TikZ but with pict2e; you need something to draw nice straight lines, here a code. If you want to automate the drawing, you can create some macros with dimensions for the arguments. It's easy to build a macro to place a circle and the label.

 \documentclass[11pt]{scrartcl}
 \usepackage{pict2e,calc}
 \newdimen\xlab
 \newdimen\ylab
 \newcommand*\Vertex[3]{%
   \put(#1,#2){\circle*{5}}
    \put(\numexpr #1 +5\relax,\numexpr #2 +5\relax){#3}
 }    

 \begin{document}  
 \setlength\unitlength{2pt}% 
 \fbox{\begin{picture}(200,120)
 \Vertex{100}{98}{A}
   \put(90,75){\circle*{5}} 
   \put(90,75){\line(10,23){10}}
    % \put(120,75){\circle*{5}} 
   \Vertex{120}{75}{B-N} 
     \put(120,75){\line(-20,23){20}}
      \put(5,10){\circle*{5}} 
      \put(5,10){\line(85,65){85}}
      \put(50,10){\circle*{5}}
       \put(50,10){\line(40,65){40}}   
      \put(80,10){\circle*{5}}   
      \put(80,10){\line(10,65){10}} 

      \put(120,10){\circle*{5}}
      \put(120,10){\line(0,65){65}}    
      \put(170,10){\circle*{5}}
      \put(170,10){\line(-50,65){50}}    
      \put(190,10){\circle*{5}}
      \put(190,10){\line(-70,65){70}}

      \put(100,75){\dots} 
      \put(65,10){\dots}
      \put(140,10){\dots}
    %  \put(105,105){$A$}   
      \end{picture}}
 \end{document} 

Answer 2

forest can automatically handle the insertion and placement of ellipses as required. For example:

\documentclass[tikz, border=5pt]{standalone}
\usepackage{forest}

\begin{document}

\forestset{
  gappy/.style={
    before typesetting nodes={
      insert after={
        [\dots, no edge]
      }
    }
  }
}
\tikzset{
  document element/.style={
    rounded corners,
    draw,
    inner color=gray!15,
    outer color=gray!35,
  }
}
\begin{forest}
  for tree={
    document element,
    fit=band
  },
  before packing={
    for tree={
      if n children=3{
        for children={
          if n=2{calign with current}{}
        }
      }{}
    }
  }
  [Document
   [Paragraph, gappy
     [Element, gappy
       [Attribute Set]
     ]
     [Element, before packing={calign with current}
       [Attribute Set]
     ]
     [Attribute Set]
   ]
   [Paragraph
     [Element, gappy
       [Attribute Set]
     ]
     [Element
       [Attribute Set]
     ]
   ]
  ]
\end{forest}

\end{document}