diff --git a/backend/app/core/ai_tree_validator.py b/backend/app/core/ai_tree_validator.py
index 37941066..e57767b4 100644
--- a/backend/app/core/ai_tree_validator.py
+++ b/backend/app/core/ai_tree_validator.py
@@ -83,12 +83,16 @@ def validate_generated_tree(tree: dict[str, Any]) -> list[str]:
         # Type-specific validation
         if node_type == "decision":
             options = node.get("options", [])
+            children = node.get("children", [])
             if not isinstance(options, list) or len(options) < 2:
                 errors.append(
                     f"Decision node '{node_id}' must have at least 2 options"
                 )
-            else:
-                children = node.get("children", [])
+            if isinstance(children, list) and len(children) > 0 and len(children) < 2:
+                errors.append(
+                    f"Decision node '{node_id}' must have at least 2 children (branches)"
+                )
+            if isinstance(options, list) and len(options) >= 2:
                 child_ids = {c.get("id") for c in children if isinstance(c, dict)}
                 option_ids: set[str] = set()
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/store/treeEditorStore.ts b/frontend/src/store/treeEditorStore.ts
index 6e810fb4..ce80c783 100644
--- a/frontend/src/store/treeEditorStore.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/store/treeEditorStore.ts
@@ -710,7 +710,17 @@ export const useTreeEditorStore = create<TreeEditorState>()(
                 message: `Decision node "${node.id}" requires at least one option`,
                 severity: 'error'
               })
-            } else {
+            }
+            // Decision nodes with children must have at least 2 branches
+            if (node.children && node.children.length > 0 && node.children.length < 2) {
+              errors.push({
+                nodeId: node.id,
+                field: 'children',
+                message: `Decision node "${node.id}" must have at least 2 branches`,
+                severity: 'error'
+              })
+            }
+            if (node.options && node.options.length > 0) {
               // Validate options
               node.options.forEach((opt, i) => {
                 if (!opt.label?.trim()) {