diff --git a/main.py b/main.py
index e9ed3d6..d0ba139 100644
--- a/main.py
+++ b/main.py
@@ -297,6 +297,10 @@ def index():
                     if tree and isinstance(tree, dict):
                         for node in tree.get('nodes', {}).values():
                             node.pop('data', None)
+            for backup in data.get('history_tree_backup', []):
+                if isinstance(backup, dict):
+                    for node in backup.get('nodes', {}).values():
+                        node.pop('data', None)
             pane_state.data_cache = data
             pane_state.last_mtime = fp.stat().st_mtime if fp.exists() else 0
             pane_state.loaded_file = str(fp)
@@ -337,6 +341,11 @@ def index():
                 if tree and isinstance(tree, dict):
                     for node in tree.get('nodes', {}).values():
                         node.pop('data', None)
+        # Strip snapshot data from history_tree_backup to prevent RAM/disk bloat
+        for backup in data.get('history_tree_backup', []):
+            if isinstance(backup, dict):
+                for node in backup.get('nodes', {}).values():
+                    node.pop('data', None)
         state.data_cache = data
         state.last_mtime = fp.stat().st_mtime if fp.exists() else 0
         state.loaded_file = str(fp)
diff --git a/tab_timeline_ng.py b/tab_timeline_ng.py
index 6dffd32..b0b82d4 100644
--- a/tab_timeline_ng.py
+++ b/tab_timeline_ng.py
@@ -17,7 +17,11 @@ def _delete_nodes(htree, data, file_path, node_ids, state=None):
     """Delete nodes with backup, branch cleanup, re-parenting, and head fallback."""
     if 'history_tree_backup' not in data:
         data['history_tree_backup'] = []
-    data['history_tree_backup'].append(json.loads(json.dumps(htree.to_dict())))
+    # Back up tree metadata only (no snapshot data) to avoid bloating JSON
+    backup = json.loads(json.dumps(htree.to_dict()))
+    for node in backup.get('nodes', {}).values():
+        node.pop('data', None)
+    data['history_tree_backup'].append(backup)
     data['history_tree_backup'] = data['history_tree_backup'][-10:]
     # Save deleted node parents before removal (needed for branch re-pointing)
     deleted_parents = {}