Aspects of a method and system for a low-complexity spanning tree algorithm in communication networks may comprise preventing loops in a communications network utilizing a distributed sequential algorithm in which there is a single token. Only a network node in possession of this single token may disable a network port. A spanning tree may be generated based on loop prevention. The network ports that may be disabled may be chosen from a port map, where the port map may be obtained by combining a port map identifying ports that are connected to loops with a port map indicating network ports that are to remain enabled. The loop prevention may be initiated by a root node and a token may be generated by the root node when completing the prevention. Network nodes may reduce ingress data rate during loop prevention.