Best time of year to prune maples?

[Bruce L]

What is the best time of year to prune maples? I have a couple of trees growing right beside the sugar house/ storage tank shed that have branches hanging over the roof,one is almost tappable,the other quite a bit smaller. I would like to remove a couple of limbs before they get to big to fall off many years from now and damage the sugar house,as well as taking some limbs off should weight the trees to lean away from the buildings.

[buckeye gold]

I think probably late summer after new growth is hardening off. The tree is done growing and it still has some growth weather to heal the wound.

[Bruce L]

Thanks Buckeye, like probably Labor Day

[MapleMark753]

I agree with Buckeye on this one, even after looking at some arborist type site and their info.
Having said that, on non current crop trees here (i don't tap these maples, could tho), I have pruned at uh, not the right time, lol. Spring even, and early summer too.
They took it, and didn't really miss a beat as far as I can tell. It was usually to create space for dying and dead ash trees to fall in the woods without risking taking out the whole maple with it. I guess what I'm saying is that at least in my experience they can be pretty tough and come back fine. I do it when I have to and when I have the time. Just my 2 cents, I know its not optimal. Good Luck!

[Pdiamond]

My father-in-law was a logger and arborist for many years. He always said to prune or trim in any month with an "r". I always followed his advice and never had any of the trees die or be harmed by doing it this way. They always sealed very quickly. We once took the tops of an old silver maple off because the homeowner did not want to remove the whole tree, but didn't want the upper limbs to fall on his house. These trees are still alive and well today with many new small branch growth at the top.

[220 maple]

The letter "r" months are also the only months that you will not have success transplanting trees, maybe an old wives tale? I tried moving some little maples in May one year, they all died, so I'm sorta convinced that it is true don't mess with them in MAY, JUNE, JULY or AUGUST.

Mark 220 Maple