[Tenhens]

Would like to ask another question on tomatoes , when do you start to remove branches ?

Mods, if this requires a separate post  , please amend.

[JayG]

New thread started as per your suggestion Tenhens. 

I remove the lowest leaves when they start to look a bit tired and are drooping onto the compost - plants are usually about 2' tall at that stage.

Subsequently remove any which are seriously overlapping, causing congestion and therefore reducing air circulation - the aim is to avoid creating any persistent damp areas which could lead to disease.

The plants do need their leaves to sustain themselves and develop the fruit - I'm not as much of a serial de-leafer as some others seem to be!

[sunshineband]

I do exactly the same as JayG, with the thinking that
a) discoloured leaves are not fully functional
b) congested leaves restrict airflow
c) I can see the fruits developing/ripening

But like him, think the plants do need leaves with which to grow, so it is a balance really, not a denuding of the plants

[Toosje]

I mostly take out the tops of the leaves, so there is enough left for the plant and there is enough room for circulation. I have never seen any bleeding of juices so it seems safe.

Like Jayg and Sunshineband: when the leaves are starting to look weak or bleak, I remove them.