Overview

Transform your outdoor space with the magnificent October Glory Maple Tree, a premium live plant renowned for its spectacular seasonal display. This particular cultivar of red maple, scientifically known as Acer rubrum ‘October Glory’, is a favorite among gardeners and landscapers alike for its consistent and vibrant autumn show. As a fast growing shade tree, it quickly establishes itself, providing ample shade during warm summer months and then transitioning into an unparalleled spectacle of fiery red and orange hues each fall. This tree is not just about beauty; it’s a robust and adaptable specimen, making it an excellent choice for a variety of garden styles and climates. Whether you’re looking to enhance your curb appeal, create a focal point, or simply enjoy the changing seasons, the October Glory Maple Tree is an investment in natural grandeur.

Key Benefits

Choosing an October Glory Maple Tree offers a multitude of advantages, enhancing both the aesthetic and ecological value of your property. Its unique characteristics make it a standout choice for any landscape project.

• Spectacular Fall Foliage: Enjoy an extended period of brilliant orange to deep red leaves in autumn, providing a breathtaking display that lasts for several weeks and is often considered the highlight of the fall season. This vibrant transformation makes it a true landscape centerpiece.
• Fast Growth Rate: This cultivar is known for its rapid growth, allowing you to establish a mature shade canopy much quicker than many other tree species. This makes it an ideal choice if you’re looking for a relatively quick impact in your garden.
• Excellent Shade Provider: With its eventual height of 40-50 feet and spread of 25-35 feet, the October Glory Maple Tree creates a dense, cooling canopy perfect for shading patios, homes, or recreational areas, helping to reduce energy costs in warmer climates.
• Adaptable & Resilient: Tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions, from wet to somewhat dry, and hardy in USDA Zone 4-9 tree environments, this tree is remarkably adaptable. It also exhibits good drought tolerance once established, making it a low-maintenance option.
• Attracts Wildlife: In spring, tiny red flowers emerge, followed by showy red fruit (samaras) that are attractive to birds and other small wildlife, adding a dynamic element to your garden ecosystem.
• Year-Round Interest: Beyond its stunning fall color, the tree offers attractive glossy green leaves in spring and summer, along with an appealing upright oval to rounded shape, ensuring visual interest throughout the year.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, the October Glory Maple Tree requires minimal care, primarily benefiting from regular watering during dry spells and occasional pruning to maintain its desired shape and health.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your October Glory Maple Tree is straightforward, especially if you understand its basic needs. This resilient tree thrives with proper attention, ensuring years of beautiful foliage and shade. When planting, select a location that receives full sun to partial shade, meaning at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and the most vibrant red fall foliage tree colors. While tolerant of various soil types, it prefers slightly acidic, moist, and well-drained conditions. Amend heavy clay soils with organic matter to improve drainage, or sandy soils to enhance moisture retention.

Watering is crucial, particularly during the tree’s establishment period (the first 1-2 years after planting). Water deeply and regularly, ensuring the soil remains consistently moist but not waterlogged. Once established, the October Glory Maple Tree exhibits good drought tolerance, but supplemental watering during prolonged dry spells will help maintain its vigor. Mulching around the base of the tree with a 2-4 inch layer of organic material helps retain soil moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds. Fertilize in early spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer formulated for trees and shrubs, following package directions. Pruning should focus on removing dead, damaged, or crossing branches, ideally in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. This helps maintain a strong structure and healthy canopy. The Acer rubrum ‘October Glory’ is a robust choice for a fast growing shade tree.

Size & Details

This offering is for one live October Glory Maple Tree, shipped as a young specimen approximately 1-2 feet tall, planted in a quart-sized pot. This size is ideal for planting, allowing for easy establishment in your chosen landscape location. Upon maturity, this majestic tree will reach an impressive height of 40-50 feet with a spread of 25-35 feet, forming a stately, upright oval to rounded crown. Its growth rate is considered fast, meaning you’ll see significant development each year, quickly achieving its potential as a significant shade provider. The tree’s leaves are a vibrant green throughout spring and summer, transitioning to brilliant orange and then a striking deep red in the fall, offering an extended period of ornamental value. It is best suited for outdoor cultivation and is hardy across a wide range of climates, specifically thriving as a USDA Zone 4-9 tree. During winter dormancy, it is normal for the tree to arrive without leaves, which does not impact its health or future growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does the October Glory Maple Tree get? A: The October Glory Maple Tree typically reaches a mature height of 40-50 feet with a spread of 25-35 feet, making it a substantial shade tree for larger landscapes.
• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: The live plant is shipped in a quart-sized pot, and measures 1-2 feet tall, ready for planting upon arrival.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The October Glory Maple Tree is an outdoor plant, best suited for planting directly in the ground where it can reach its full potential as a large shade tree.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: This tree thrives in full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily to produce the most vibrant fall foliage colors.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, once established, the October Glory Maple Tree is relatively low-maintenance. It’s adaptable to various soil types and shows good drought tolerance.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your tree will arrive as a healthy, live plant in a quart pot. During winter months, it may arrive dormant without leaves, which is normal and indicates a healthy plant.
• Q: When is the best time to plant an October Glory Maple Tree? A: Spring or fall are generally the best times to plant, allowing the tree to establish its root system before extreme summer heat or winter cold.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: The October Glory Maple Tree is highly cold-hardy, thriving in USDA Zone 4-9 tree environments, making it suitable for a wide range of climates across the US.
• Q: How long does the red fall foliage last? A: The brilliant red fall foliage tree display typically lasts for several weeks, often holding its color longer than many other maple varieties, making it a long-lasting seasonal standout.
• Q: Is this a fast-growing tree? A: Yes, the October Glory Maple Tree is known for its fast growth rate, allowing it to quickly develop into a substantial shade tree and establish a prominent presence in your landscape.