While SnO₂ is regarded as a good material for Li ion storage because of its high theoretical capacity, its microstructured powder form cannot be directly used as battery electrode because of a drastic pulverization problem and thus poor cyclic performance. Nanostructuring offers opportunities to circumvent this drawback. We report the construction of SnO₂ nanoflake branches onto robust TiO₂ nanotube stems. This core-branch nanostructured electrode demonstrate evidently improved Li ion storage properties compared to powders, with more stable cycling processes and higher rate capability. In this design, the TiO₂ nanotube stems are realized by atomic layer deposition and offer a low-mass scaffold for the SnO₂ nanoflakes and also a charge conductive path.