Trees
Acer rubrum 'October Glory'
October Glory red maple
October Glory keeps its glossy green leaves late into the season before developing orange to red autumn color. Early red flowers precede the foliage and develop into winged seeds on this female cultivar. Its rounded to oval crown needs generous space, and shallow roots can conflict with nearby paving.
At a glance
- Sun
- Full sun to partial shade
- Size
- Height: 40–50 ft · Width: 30–40 ft
- Water
- Medium to wet
- Hardiness
- USDA 4–9
- Bloom
- Red, early spring
Sizes & prices
- #10Call for price
- #15$189.99
Catalog updated September 8, 2026. This is not a live stock count; please call to confirm availability and price.
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Landscape use & tree form
- Use
- Shade tree
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Planting space
- Surface roots can lift nearby paving and compete with plants beneath the canopy.
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Form
- Rounded to oval
Resistance & tolerances
- Deer
- Deer browse young shoots; occasional severe damage is reported for red maple.
- Drought
- Some tolerance once established; water in extended dry spells.
- Wet soil
- Species tolerates occasional flooding and wet soil; avoid prolonged stagnant saturation.
- Clay soil
- Tolerated; slightly acidic soil is preferred.
Resistance is not a guarantee; deer and rabbits may browse any plant.
Pollinators & wildlife
- Attracts
- Pollinators
- Caterpillar host
- Moths
- Birds
- Seeds provide food
Native range
- Native range / parentage
- Cultivar of eastern North American red maple, a Cincinnati-region native species. Cultivated selection of a Kentucky-native species; not wild local stock.
- Tristate native status
- Cultivated selection of a Kentucky-native species; not wild local stock.
Keep in mind: Shallow roots may lift paving; place away from sidewalks and driveways.
Seasonal interest
- Fall color
- Orange to red, late in the season
- Fruit
- Winged seeds follow the red spring flowers on this female cultivar.
Growing & care
- Soil
- Prefers moist, slightly acidic soil; clay is tolerated. Alkaline soil can cause manganese chlorosis.
- Pruning
- Prune lightly, removing dead, damaged or rubbing branches while preserving the natural outline. For elective cuts, wait until the leaves are fully expanded to reduce maple sap bleeding; large limbs need a qualified arborist.
Sources & photo credits
University of Minnesota Extension
Iowa State University Extension
Montana State University Extension
Photo: David J. Stang · CC BY-SA 4.0
Reviewed September 22, 2026. Growing conditions vary by location.