You've misinterpreted the "hurt your workflow with split windows" bit. You understood it as if NERD Tree's split window is what hurts your workflow. I was saying that my existing split window workflow was hurt by presence of the NERD Tree.
I toggle nerdtree on and off often, so it's there when I need it, and gone when I don't, so I don't notice it getting in the way of my split windows all that much.
