Jean Pennacchio

Acer rubrum ‘October Glory' Red Maple

1 Edward F. Gilman and Dennis G. Watson2

INTRODUCTION

This cultivar of Red Maple has an oval to rounded shape and is a fast grower with strong wood, reaching a height of 40 to 50 feet (Fig. 1). It and ‘Red Sunset’ are the most popular Red Maples in cultivation probably due to their dependable fall color and vigorous growth. Unless irrigated or on a wet site, it is best used north of USDA hardiness zone 9. Trees are often seen shorter in the southern part of its range unless growing next to a stream or on a wet site. This tree is much preferred over Red Maple, Silver Maple or Boxelder when a fast growing maple is needed.
The newly emerging leaves and red flowers and fruits signal that spring has come. They appear in December and January in Florida, later in the northern part of its range. The seeds of Red Maple are quite popular with squirrels and birds. This tree if sometimes confused with red-leaved cultivars of Norway Maple.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Scientific name: Acer rubrum ‘October Glory’ Pronunciation: AY-ser ROO-brum
Common name(s): ‘October Glory’ Red Maple Family: Aceraceae

USDA hardiness zones: 5 through 8 (Fig. 2) Origin: native to North America
Uses: Bonsai; wide tree lawns (>6 feet wide); medium-sized tree lawns (4-6 feet wide); recommended for buffer strips around parking lots or for median strip plantings in the highway; near a deck or patio; reclamation plant; screen; shade tree; specimen; residential street tree