diff --git a/include/sync-logic.h b/include/sync-logic.h
index 5e32918..d0500c8 100644
--- a/include/sync-logic.h
+++ b/include/sync-logic.h
@@ -157,11 +157,14 @@
   void
   sendSyncData (const std::string &name,
                 DigestConstPtr digest, StateConstPtr state);
+
+  size_t
+  getNumberOfBranches () const;
   
 private:
   FullStatePtr m_state;
   DiffStateContainer m_log;
-  boost::recursive_mutex m_stateMutex;
+  mutable boost::recursive_mutex m_stateMutex;
 
   std::string m_outstandingInterestName;
   SyncInterestTable m_syncInterestTable;
diff --git a/model/sync-logic.cc b/model/sync-logic.cc
index de7182e..d91923c 100644
--- a/model/sync-logic.cc
+++ b/model/sync-logic.cc
@@ -577,5 +577,12 @@
   return os.str();
 }
 
+size_t
+SyncLogic::getNumberOfBranches () const
+{
+  recursive_mutex::scoped_lock lock (m_stateMutex);
+  return m_state->getLeaves ().size ();
+}
+
 
 }