A lot of it is preference. If you have the time and proper staking method leaving some suckers won't hurt. I wouldn't let more than two go. I let one go. Shortly after translplant, I usually trim all the branches that are hanging in the soil, and let on sucker come up from their. On a 2 month old plant, it should look like another main stalk with flowers. Good choice in Tomatoes, one of my rows consists of a beefsteak, a brandywine and a big beef. This is exactly what I did with all three of those.

I do prune them to some extent.
= I prune the lower part so that nothing is touching the soil and there is ample room for air movement .

= I prune the top selectively and just keep couple of branched(shooters ) . This is because, I want the plant to produce as early as possible and as much as feasible. I am not interesting in the lots of green tomatoes at the end of season. ( although they make good pickles).

= Another reason I prune is that, I plant them closer than standard (3 foo) spacing. So I have to keep the size under control.

Pruning is always optional. It is never mandatory. Its need is dictated by the support system used and the plant spacing used. No such thing as "suckers". They are fruit-producing lateral branches.

Pruning/Suckers discussions

Dave

Here is a link that might be useful: FAQ - To prune or not to prune

I also have 3 stems coming out of the main stem about 2 inches from the ground and the leaves on them are turning yellow they have holes and shriveled and those leaves at the end of them stems lay on the ground

This post was edited by John_JJ on Tue, Jun 4, 13 at 21:05

the leaves on them are turning yellow they have holes and shriveled and the tips of them touch the ground

Those I would remove. Nothing is gained by leaving discolored or damaged leaves on the plant. Most of us remove the lower branches that touch/drag the ground. Some will remove any up to just below the first bloom cluster.

Dave