Removing leaves from tomato plants

[rary]

Just wondered who removes leaves from their tomatoes and why also is there a reason you should leave them on the plants

[burnie]

I remove the lower ones if they become tired looking and as the fruits start to ripen I remove leaves/stems that shade the fruits to let the sun at them. No idea if there's any science behind this, my dad did it and I always have, never killed a plant yet.

[Containergardener]

Ha . Just as I've pruned mine within an inch of their life.
I always prune in my 7x5 gh with too many plants to aid air round them ..not killed one yet.

[peanut]

I also remove the lower leaves, plus any causing shading on fruit.

[bramble]

Same here.
Take off the lower leaves to improve airflow.
I also remove any heavy foliage or withering leaves.
I try to keep a nice open Bush.

[mhrfm]

I also remove the lower tired leaves... the plants seem to appreciate it.

[Nicos]

Me too...for all the above reasons.
Just the lower ones to start with, then thinning out, then later on to expose the fruit to the sun.

[Bren In Pots]

I remove leaves below the first truss it makes watering easier, then really late on in the season I reduce leaves by half in the hope more light will get through to ripen the toms.

[Penellype]

I remove any leaves that are yellowing and allow me to break them off at the natural join with the stem. I never cut off leaves, having found that this is a great way to introduce botrytis. I should probably add that the greenhouse that I am using for these plants leaks, so when it rains water drips onto the foliage. If you are able to keep the plants themselves dry then botrytis may not be a problem.