 Unmatched-vertex bound for a proper tree matching

For a proper matching in a rooted tree, the number of unmatched vertices in a matching does not exceed the number of leaves of a rooted tree. From each unmatched vertex, build a downward path: at an internal current node that is unmatched or matched upward, every child must be matched downward to one of its own children, or properness would fail. Follow a child and its matching partner, then repeat. The path terminates at a leaf and contains no other unmatched vertex. Two such downward paths cannot meet, since then one unmatched starting point would lie on the other's path. Their distinct endpoints give the required injection. No maximum-size assumption is needed.