October Glory Red Maple (Acer rubrum): Autumn's Crown Jewel

The Fall Showstopper

October Glory Red Maple ignites autumn with fiery orange-to-crimson foliage that outshines golden peers. It's the first tree to turn, the last to drop—a prolonged spectacle against evergreens.

Tree Profile

• Height: 60–80 ft typical (50 ft average); exceptional to 150 ft.
• Spring: Tiny 5-petal red flowers in dense clusters.
• Summer: Lustrous green foliage.
• Fall: Orange → crimson red (best of all cultivars).
• Adaptability: Any terrain—lawns, swamps, dry soil.
• Maintenance: Minimal. Stately shade tree for streets, parks, golf courses, homes.

Reproductive Details

• Buds: Form fall/winter, green-red, loose scales.
• Fruit: Double samara (winged seeds), light brown to red.
• Ripening: April–early June.
• Dispersal: April–July (1–2 weeks).

Maple Syrup Reality

Red Maple produces quality syrup—equal in flavor/sweetness to Sugar Maple. BUT: narrow harvest window. Buds break early; post-bud sap develops off-flavor. Tap ONLY before bud break = very short season. Commercial production favors Sugar/Black Maple for this reason.

Wood Properties

Soft wood (lumber classification). Not primary timber species.

Landscape Value

Unmatched autumn drama, fast growth, site adaptability, low maintenance. The cultivar of choice for reliable, spectacular fall color.