Random trees between two walls: exact partition function

We derive the exact partition function for a discrete model of random trees embedded in a one-dimensional space. These trees have vertices labelled by integers representing their position in the target space, with the solid-on-solid constraint that adjacent vertices have labels differing by ±1. A non-trivial partition function is obtained whenever the target space is bounded by walls. We concentrate on the two cases where the target space is (i) the half-line bounded by a wall at the origin or (ii) a segment bounded by two walls at a finite distance. The general solution has a soliton-like structure involving elliptic functions. We derive the corresponding continuum scaling limit which takes the remarkable form of the Weierstrass p function with constrained periods. These results are used to analyse the probability for an evolving population spreading in one dimension to attain the boundary of a given domain with the geometry of the target (i) or (ii). They also translate, via suitable bijections, into generating functions for bounded planar graphs