Acer rubrum, ‘October Glory’ is a female cultivar of the species, that, as the cultivar name suggests, is perhaps best noted for its exceptional fall color. It grows to 40-50’ tall with an oval rounded form. Attractive red flowers appear in early spring before the foliage emerges. Flowers give way to red-tinged samaras (to 1 1/2” long) ("helicopters"). Glossy dark green leaves with red stems have 3-5 lobes and are 3-6” across. Leaves retain good green color well into fall (longer than many other A. rubrum cultivars), and in more northern areas are sometimes subjected to frost prior to acquiring fall color. Orange to red fall color for this cultivar is brilliant in most years.
The specific epithet of rubrum meaning red is everywhere in evidence: red flowers in dense clusters in late March to early April (before the leaves appear), red fruit (initially reddish, two-winged samara), reddish stems and twigs, red buds, and, in the fall, excellent orange-red foliage color.
In general, red maples are exceptionally tolerant of a broad range of soil and climatic conditions. See more under Acer rubrum.