Hello.

I have a small maple tree which is 5 feet tall and am wondering how to prune it and if that should even be done. It has leaves all the way down to the bottom. There is also a branch coming off the main branch, about a foot from the bottom. This is shown in the second image. Should this be cut off? Pictures are attached. Also, can anyone identify what species of maple this is?

Thanks for any advice.

Michael