Acer r October Glory Red Maple #5

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. 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.

Height: 40 to 50 feet
Spread: 25 to 35 feet
Crown uniformity: symmetrical
Crown shape: oval, round
Crown density: moderate
Growth rate: fast
Texture: medium

FOLIAGE
Leaf arrangement: opposite/subopposite (Fig. 3)
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: incised, serrate, lobed
Leaf shape: ovate
Leaf venation: palmate
Leaf type and persistence: deciduous
Leaf blade length: 2 to 4 inches
Leaf color: green
Fall color: yellow, orange, red
Fall characteristic: showy