{"id":"merkle-diff-filters-padding","text":"`diff()` excludes padding indices beyond `max(self._leaf_count, other._leaf_count)`, using `max` (not `min`) so positions where one tree has data and the other has `EMPTY_HASH` padding are still reported as diffs","truth_value":"IN","source":"entries/2026/05/29/merkle-tree-merkle_tree-diff.md","source_url":"","source_hash":"","justifications":[],"dependents":[],"metadata":{},"explanation":{"steps":[{"node":"merkle-diff-filters-padding","truth_value":"IN","reason":"premise"}]}}