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.