This paper reports hierarchically branched structures of tin dioxide nanowires for use in electrochemical energy conversion and storage electrode systems. The shallow tin dioxide branches are epitaxially grown on the tin dioxide nanowire backbones that are directly formed on current collectors. The branched tin dioxide nanowires are applied as anode electrodes for lithium-ion batteries, while palladium incorporated branched nanowires are utilized as electrocatalysts for ethanol electrooxidation reactions. The structural benefits of these hierarchical platforms, such as enlarged electrochemical active surface area, void space formed between the branched structures, and conformal contact of the electroactive materials with current collectors, play important roles, in improving the electrochemical Li-ion storage as well as electrocatalytic activity. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.