Children.getNodes() gives copy of nodes

hello
i have a problem with BeanTreeView and Children class
when my applicatoion is started, main nodes are collapsed and if i call
node.getChildren().getNodes() i get copy of nodes. if i try to change their state it is not permanent. i am sure becouse there are logs from overriden finalize method of destroyed nodes by gc.
but if the user expand a node first (subnodes are created and never destroyed-correct) and then i call node.getChildren().getNodes() (no nodes are recreated) i get original nodes and can modify their states permanently.

is there way to get orginal items?

best regards
radek