If you are growing a cordon variety (not bush) then you need to pinch out the new sprouts from where the leaves meet the tomato's stem.

Thanks j, but I’m asking about the bottom 2 Or 3 ‘branches “ that carry the leaves.

The only time I would take the lower leaves off if, 1 they look as though they are dying and 2, if you are going to plant them out and they are very drawn (leggy) you can plant them deeper as they will form another set of roots from out of the stem.

We remove the bottom branches much later in the season when the trusses need light and heat to ripen them.

Thanks very muqxh all, not removing them until much later.