My hives are under a maple tree standing by itself. Last year I cut a big branch so morning sun would reach the hive. The remaining branches have spread, though, and now my 4 hives this year are shaded too long in the morning. The result is that the bees don't get out until later in the morning. So I'll have to cut more branches this year. Although in the winter there are no leaves to shade the tree, I'm thinking this has turned out to be not an ideal location. The next hives I set up will be somewhere more out in the open. I considered moving my existing hives, but don't want to disturb the bees right now. I may move them this fall or winter.
-- Kris