diff --git a/novelwriter/core/project.py b/novelwriter/core/project.py
index e86776ac..fc59f77f 100644
--- a/novelwriter/core/project.py
+++ b/novelwriter/core/project.py
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Iterator
 from pathlib import Path
 from functools import partial
 
-from PyQt5.QtCore import QCoreApplication, QObject, pyqtSignal
+from PyQt5.QtCore import QCoreApplication
 
 from novelwriter import CONFIG, SHARED, __version__, __hexversion__
 from novelwriter.enum import nwItemType, nwItemClass, nwItemLayout
@@ -55,13 +55,9 @@ if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
-class NWProject(QObject):
+class NWProject:
 
-    statusChanged = pyqtSignal(bool)
-    statusMessage = pyqtSignal(str)
-
-    def __init__(self, parent: QObject | None = None) -> None:
-        super().__init__(parent=parent)
+    def __init__(self) -> None:
 
         # Core Elements
         self._options = OptionState(self)    # Project-specific GUI options
@@ -206,7 +202,7 @@ class NWProject(QObject):
 
     def trashFolder(self) -> str:
         """Add the special trash root folder to the project."""
-        trashHandle = self._tree.trashRoot()
+        trashHandle = self._tree.trashRoot
         if trashHandle is None:
             label = trConst(nwLabels.CLASS_NAME[nwItemClass.TRASH])
             return self._tree.create(label, None, nwItemType.ROOT, nwItemClass.TRASH)
@@ -331,7 +327,7 @@ class NWProject(QObject):
         self.setProjectChanged(False)
         self._valid = True
 
-        self.statusMessage.emit(self.tr("Opened Project: {0}").format(self._data.name))
+        SHARED.newStatusMessage(self.tr("Opened Project: {0}").format(self._data.name))
 
         return True
 
@@ -381,7 +377,7 @@ class NWProject(QObject):
             )
 
         self._storage.writeLockFile()
-        self.statusMessage.emit(self.tr("Saved Project: {0}").format(self._data.name))
+        SHARED.newStatusMessage(self.tr("Saved Project: {0}").format(self._data.name))
         self.setProjectChanged(False)
 
         return True
@@ -403,7 +399,7 @@ class NWProject(QObject):
             return False
 
         logger.info("Backing up project")
-        self.statusMessage.emit(self.tr("Backing up project ..."))
+        SHARED.newStatusMessage(self.tr("Backing up project ..."))
 
         if not self._data.name:
             SHARED.error(self.tr(
@@ -434,7 +430,7 @@ class NWProject(QObject):
             SHARED.error(self.tr("Could not write backup archive."))
             return False
 
-        self.statusMessage.emit(self.tr("Project backed up to '{0}'").format(str(archName)))
+        SHARED.newStatusMessage(self.tr("Project backed up to '{0}'").format(str(archName)))
 
         return True
 
@@ -488,7 +484,7 @@ class NWProject(QObject):
         """
         if isinstance(status, bool):
             self._changed = status
-            self.statusChanged.emit(self._changed)
+            SHARED.setGlobalProjectState(self._changed)
         return self._changed
 
     ##
diff --git a/novelwriter/core/tree.py b/novelwriter/core/tree.py
index fef2759d..b0a79822 100644
--- a/novelwriter/core/tree.py
+++ b/novelwriter/core/tree.py
@@ -40,6 +40,8 @@ if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
+MAX_DEPTH = 1000  # Cap of tree traversing for loops (recursion limit)
+
 
 class NWTree:
     """Core: Project Tree Data Class
@@ -59,7 +61,7 @@ class NWTree:
     also used for file names.
     """
 
-    MAX_DEPTH = 1000  # Cap of tree traversing for loops
+    __slots__ = ("_project", "_tree", "_order", "_roots", "_trash", "_changed")
 
     def __init__(self, project: NWProject) -> None:
 
@@ -74,6 +76,15 @@ class NWTree:
 
         return
 
+    ##
+    #  Properties
+    ##
+
+    @property
+    def trashRoot(self) -> str | None:
+        """Return the handle of the trash folder, or None."""
+        return self._trash
+
     ##
     #  Class Methods
     ##
@@ -320,7 +331,7 @@ class NWTree:
             return False
 
         iItem = tItem
-        for _ in range(self.MAX_DEPTH):
+        for _ in range(MAX_DEPTH):
             if iItem.itemParent is None:
                 tItem.setRoot(iItem.itemHandle)
                 tItem.setClassDefaults(iItem.itemClass)
@@ -349,7 +360,7 @@ class NWTree:
         tItem = self.__getitem__(tHandle)
         if tItem is not None:
             tTree.append(tHandle)
-            for _ in range(self.MAX_DEPTH):
+            for _ in range(MAX_DEPTH):
                 if tItem.itemParent is None:
                     return tTree
                 else:
@@ -400,14 +411,6 @@ class NWTree:
                 return True
         return False
 
-    def trashRoot(self) -> str | None:
-        """Returns the handle of the trash folder, or None if there
-        isn't one.
-        """
-        if self._trash:
-            return self._trash
-        return None
-
     def findRoot(self, itemClass: nwItemClass | None) -> str | None:
         """Find the first root item for a given class."""
         for aRoot in self._roots:
diff --git a/novelwriter/gui/projtree.py b/novelwriter/gui/projtree.py
index 1905bdec..e753a828 100644
--- a/novelwriter/gui/projtree.py
+++ b/novelwriter/gui/projtree.py
@@ -798,7 +798,7 @@ class GuiProjectTree(QTreeWidget):
             logger.error("There is no item to delete")
             return False
 
-        trashHandle = SHARED.project.tree.trashRoot()
+        trashHandle = SHARED.project.tree.trashRoot
         if tHandle == trashHandle:
             logger.error("Cannot delete the Trash folder")
             return False
@@ -823,7 +823,7 @@ class GuiProjectTree(QTreeWidget):
             logger.error("No project open")
             return False
 
-        trashHandle = SHARED.project.tree.trashRoot()
+        trashHandle = SHARED.project.tree.trashRoot
 
         logger.debug("Emptying Trash folder")
         if trashHandle is None:
@@ -1201,7 +1201,7 @@ class GuiProjectTree(QTreeWidget):
         # Trash Folder
         # ============
 
-        trashHandle = SHARED.project.tree.trashRoot()
+        trashHandle = SHARED.project.tree.trashRoot
         if tItem.itemHandle == trashHandle and trashHandle is not None:
             # The trash folder only has one option
             aEmptyTrash = ctxMenu.addAction(self.tr("Empty Trash"))
diff --git a/novelwriter/guimain.py b/novelwriter/guimain.py
index d606b8d3..fbb16c0b 100644
--- a/novelwriter/guimain.py
+++ b/novelwriter/guimain.py
@@ -590,8 +590,8 @@ class GuiMain(QMainWindow):
         return True
 
     def openNextDocument(self, tHandle: str, wrapAround: bool = False) -> bool:
-        """Opens the next document in the project tree, following the
-        document with the given handle. Stops when reaching the end.
+        """Open the next document in the project tree, following the
+        document with the given handle. Stop when reaching the end.
         """
         if not SHARED.hasProject:
             logger.error("No project open")
diff --git a/novelwriter/shared.py b/novelwriter/shared.py
index eea5fe26..262d5727 100644
--- a/novelwriter/shared.py
+++ b/novelwriter/shared.py
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ from time import time
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 from pathlib import Path
 
-from PyQt5.QtCore import QObject, pyqtSignal, pyqtSlot
+from PyQt5.QtCore import QObject, pyqtSignal
 from PyQt5.QtWidgets import QMessageBox, QWidget
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ class SharedData(QObject):
 
     @property
     def hasProject(self) -> bool:
-        """Return True of the project instance is populated."""
+        """Return True if the project instance is populated."""
         return self.project.isValid
 
     @property
@@ -107,9 +107,9 @@ class SharedData(QObject):
     ##
 
     def initSharedData(self, gui: GuiMain, theme: GuiTheme) -> None:
-        """Initialise the UserData instance. This must be called as soon
-        as the Main GUI is created to ensure the SHARED singleton has the
-        properties needed for operation.
+        """Initialise the SharedData instance. This must be called as
+        soon as the Main GUI is created to ensure the SHARED singleton
+        has the properties needed for operation.
         """
         self._gui = gui
         self._theme = theme
@@ -159,6 +159,20 @@ class SharedData(QObject):
         self._idleRefTime = currTime
         return
 
+    def newStatusMessage(self, message: str) -> None:
+        """Request a new status message. This is a callable function for
+        core classes that cannot emit signals on their own.
+        """
+        self.projectStatusMessage.emit(message)
+        return
+
+    def setGlobalProjectState(self, state: bool) -> None:
+        """Change the global project status. This is a callable function
+        for core classes that cannot emit signals on their own.
+        """
+        self.projectStatusChanged.emit(state)
+        return
+
     ##
     #  Alert Boxes
     ##
@@ -201,22 +215,6 @@ class SharedData(QObject):
         self._alert.exec_()
         return self._alert.result() == QMessageBox.Yes
 
-    ##
-    #  Internal Slots
-    ##
-
-    @pyqtSlot(bool)
-    def _emitProjectStatusChange(self, state: bool) -> None:
-        """Forward the project status slot."""
-        self.projectStatusChanged.emit(state)
-        return
-
-    @pyqtSlot(str)
-    def _emitProjectStatusMeesage(self, message: str) -> None:
-        """Forward the project message slot."""
-        self.projectStatusMessage.emit(message)
-        return
-
     ##
     #  Internal Functions
     ##
@@ -225,12 +223,8 @@ class SharedData(QObject):
         """Create a new project instance."""
         from novelwriter.core.project import NWProject
         if isinstance(self._project, NWProject):
-            self._project.statusChanged.disconnect()
-            self._project.statusMessage.disconnect()
-            self._project.deleteLater()
-        self._project = NWProject(self)
-        self._project.statusChanged.connect(self._emitProjectStatusChange)
-        self._project.statusMessage.connect(self._emitProjectStatusMeesage)
+            del self._project
+        self._project = NWProject()
         return
 
     def _resetIdleTimer(self) -> None:
diff --git a/tests/test_core/test_core_tree.py b/tests/test_core/test_core_tree.py
index 83abd8cb..0b36897b 100644
--- a/tests/test_core/test_core_tree.py
+++ b/tests/test_core/test_core_tree.py
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ def testCoreTree_BuildTree(mockGUI, mockItems):
     assert bool(theTree) is False
 
     # Check for archive and trash folders
-    assert theTree.trashRoot() is None
+    assert theTree.trashRoot is None
 
     aHandles = []
     for nwItem in mockItems:
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ def testCoreTree_BuildTree(mockGUI, mockItems):
     # ============
 
     # Check that we have the correct archive and trash folders
-    assert theTree.trashRoot() == "a000000000003"
+    assert theTree.trashRoot == "a000000000003"
     assert theTree.findRoot(nwItemClass.ARCHIVE) == "a000000000002"
     assert theTree.isTrash("a000000000003") is True
 
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ def testCoreTree_BuildTree(mockGUI, mockItems):
     del theTree["a000000000003"]
     assert len(theTree) == len(mockItems) - 3
     assert "a000000000003" not in theTree
-    assert theTree.trashRoot() is None
+    assert theTree.trashRoot is None
 
 # END Test testCoreTree_BuildTree
 
@@ -365,7 +365,7 @@ def testCoreTree_CheckConsistency(caplog: pytest.LogCaptureFixture, mockGUI, fnc
 
 
 @pytest.mark.core
-def testCoreTree_Methods(mockGUI, mockItems):
+def testCoreTree_Methods(monkeypatch, mockGUI, mockItems):
     """Test various class methods."""
     theProject = NWProject()
     theTree = NWTree(theProject)
@@ -389,11 +389,10 @@ def testCoreTree_Methods(mockGUI, mockItems):
     assert theTree.updateItemData("b000000000001") is True
 
     # Update item data, root is unreachable
-    maxDepth = theTree.MAX_DEPTH
-    theTree.MAX_DEPTH = 0  # type: ignore
-    with pytest.raises(RecursionError):
-        theTree.updateItemData("b000000000001")
-    theTree.MAX_DEPTH = maxDepth
+    with monkeypatch.context() as mp:
+        mp.setattr("novelwriter.core.tree.MAX_DEPTH", 0)
+        with pytest.raises(RecursionError):
+            theTree.updateItemData("b000000000001")
 
     # Check type
     assert theTree.checkType("blabla", nwItemType.FILE) is False
@@ -424,11 +423,10 @@ def testCoreTree_Methods(mockGUI, mockItems):
     ]
 
     # Cause recursion error
-    maxDepth = theTree.MAX_DEPTH
-    theTree.MAX_DEPTH = 0  # type: ignore
-    with pytest.raises(RecursionError):
-        theTree.getItemPath("c000000000001")
-    theTree.MAX_DEPTH = maxDepth
+    with monkeypatch.context() as mp:
+        mp.setattr("novelwriter.core.tree.MAX_DEPTH", 0)
+        with pytest.raises(RecursionError):
+            theTree.getItemPath("c000000000001")
 
     # Break the folder parent handle
     theTree["b000000000001"]._parent = "stuff"  # type: ignore
diff --git a/tests/test_gui/test_gui_guimain.py b/tests/test_gui/test_gui_guimain.py
index fd906971..0c65cb5a 100644
--- a/tests/test_gui/test_gui_guimain.py
+++ b/tests/test_gui/test_gui_guimain.py
@@ -205,7 +205,7 @@ def testGuiMain_Editing(qtbot, monkeypatch, nwGUI, projPath, tstPaths, mockRnd):
     assert len(SHARED.project.tree) == 0
     assert len(SHARED.project.tree._order) == 0
     assert len(SHARED.project.tree._roots) == 0
-    assert SHARED.project.tree.trashRoot() is None
+    assert SHARED.project.tree.trashRoot is None
     assert SHARED.project.data.name == ""
     assert SHARED.project.data.title == ""
     assert SHARED.project.data.author == ""
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ def testGuiMain_Editing(qtbot, monkeypatch, nwGUI, projPath, tstPaths, mockRnd):
     assert len(SHARED.project.tree) == 8
     assert len(SHARED.project.tree._order) == 8
     assert len(SHARED.project.tree._roots) == 4
-    assert SHARED.project.tree.trashRoot() is None
+    assert SHARED.project.tree.trashRoot is None
     assert SHARED.project.data.name == "New Project"
     assert SHARED.project.data.title == "New Novel"
     assert SHARED.project.data.author == "Jane Doe"
diff --git a/tests/test_gui/test_gui_projtree.py b/tests/test_gui/test_gui_projtree.py
index bfb57a39..71b35df8 100644
--- a/tests/test_gui/test_gui_projtree.py
+++ b/tests/test_gui/test_gui_projtree.py
@@ -348,7 +348,7 @@ def testGuiProjTree_RequestDeleteItem(qtbot, caplog, monkeypatch, nwGUI, projPat
         C.hChapterDir, C.hChapterDoc, C.hSceneDoc,
         "0000000000010"
     ]
-    trashHandle = SHARED.project.tree.trashRoot()
+    trashHandle = SHARED.project.tree.trashRoot
     assert projTree.getTreeFromHandle(trashHandle) == [
         trashHandle, "0000000000012", "0000000000011"
     ]
@@ -541,7 +541,7 @@ def testGuiProjTree_ContextMenu(qtbot, monkeypatch, nwGUI, projPath, mockRnd):
     projTree.setExpandedFromHandle(None, True)
 
     projTree._addTrashRoot()
-    hTrashRoot = SHARED.project.tree.trashRoot()
+    hTrashRoot = SHARED.project.tree.trashRoot
 
     projTree.setSelectedHandle(C.hCharRoot)
     projTree.newTreeItem(nwItemType.FILE)