Tree 29

Acer rubrum ‘October Glory’ 

Acer rubrum ‘October Glory’Sapindaceae (soapberry family)

For Arbor Day 2022, we planted an October Glory maple. One of the most popular red maples, it was developed by William Flemer III at Princeton Nurseries. A 6-foot specimen of this showy red maple was donated to the Flemer Arboretum by Jeff Baumley of Baumley Nursery. The October Glory Red Maple – Acer rubrum ‘October Glory’ – is aptly named. The image above shows a mature specimen.   

This cultivar shines like a beacon in mid to late fall, as its leaves are transfused with orange-red after other autumn leaves have fallen.  Red maples provide food and cover for songbirds. They tolerate both dry spaces and the dreaded ‘wet feet/roots’ conditions, so may be a good choice for a wet spot in your yard. This rapidly growing variety grows up to 2 feet per year, and has a symmetrical shape and rounded crown.  The tree should top out at about 50 feet tall and 25 to 30 feet wide, so will provide ample shade as it ages.