October Glory is a wonderful maple with many advantages, so many people choose it for planting in their yards. But like everything in the world, this maple has some disadvantages. In this article, we will look at this tree’s significant aspects.
| Pros | Cons |
| Amazing foliage | Suckers |
| Adaptability to all types of soil | Cracking |
| Vigorousness | Root system |
| Excellent canopy tree | Winged seeds |
| Drought-tolerance |
Pro: Amazing foliage
One of the most important advantages for which October Glory is valued is the foliage. The first thing to highlight is the shape of the leaf. The leaf has shallow slits and is divided into lobes with sharp tips; this shape is relatively rare compared to other trees.
The second is the color. This maple has bright green foliage early in the season and looks fantastic. It can create a great privacy screen because of its thick crown and large size or be a yard decoration.
The foliage turns pale by midsummer, but it doesn’t affect the overall picture. And the most interesting thing begins in the fall when the green leaves turn fiery red. This is the time when this maple brings maximum aesthetic pleasure.
Pro: Adaptability to all types of soil
Like many similar maples, October Glory grows well in most types of soil. This peculiarity makes it very easy to keep. Even when planting, you do not need to improve the soil as this maple can easily penetrate the native soil with its roots.
The second aspect is the pH of the soil. October Glory is fine here, too, as it can thrive in slightly acidic, neutral, and slightly alkaline soils.
The exception is when the soil pH is too high (well over 7.0). In this case, chlorosis can occur. You will have to acidify the soil a little to correct the situation.
Pro: Vigorousness
October Glory Maple is a very vigorous tree. It grows 2 feet tall and about 1 foot wide per year. As a result, you can get a large tree for your purposes reasonably quickly.
This variety can reach about 40 feet tall and about 35 feet wide at maturity. Over time, it will be a big, beautiful tree that needs plenty of space. Plant it no closer than 15 feet from other trees or buildings.
Pro: Excellent canopy tree
If you want a canopy for shade, October Glory is well suited for this purpose. Even though its growth habit is more upright, it can provide plenty of shade.
To expand the crown, you should shorten the vertical branches slightly at a young age. As a result, it will grow wide. You will also need to remove the bottom tier of branches to make room under the crown.
It is also possible to grow a variety of shade-loving perennials under this tree. The main thing is to plant them no closer than 2 inches to the tree trunk and occasionally trim the roots with a shovel.
Pro: Drought-tolerance
This tree does fine without watering during long periods of drought. Nothing bad can happen to it because it can get water out of the ground at considerable depth.
Even if the October Glory grows in full sun, it will still easily survive the summer heat and drought. You don’t need to mulch the root zone to prevent the soil from drying.
The only exception to this is for newly planted maples. In the first year or two, the tree needs watering. The root system is not yet developed, and the tree needs extra water.
Watch the soil around the trunk for moisture for the first two years after planting. If the soil dries out more than 2 inches, water the tree with 1-2 gallons.
Con: Suckers
Suckers are young growths that appear near or on the trunk. These branches do nothing good but deplete the tree and make it ugly. Suckers are most active when the tree is young but already quite large.
You need to remove the suckers to improve the growth of the tree and free up space around it. This should be done with a sharp tool twice a year. The first time is in early spring, and the second is in late fall.
On the other hand, if you have a lawn under the tree, the mower will remove some of the suckers that grow out of the ground near the trunk along with the grass. In this case, you will only have to cut a few suckers on the trunk.
Con: Cracking
One of the unfortunate drawbacks of October Glory is cracking. In winter, during a hard frost and snowfall, the wind can break the thick branches of the maple, causing it to lose part of its crown.
It must be said that this does not happen very often. But you still need to be prepared for such a scenario.
If this happens, the tree, in most cases, remains alive. It will lose only part of its branches and recover after a while.
You will need to remove all of the deadwood after the cracking. You can use an arborist to do this.
Con: Root system
The next disadvantage is the root system. The roots of this maple are rather shallow and relatively aggressive. This means that it should not be planted too close to the house.
As for the perennials that grow underneath the tree, they need special care. They need more frequent watering and fertilizing.
Con: Winged seeds
Seeds are a disadvantage of most trees, but maple seeds are winged. As a result, the wind carries them over a considerable distance.
In the fall, you must be prepared to harvest these seeds because they are significant. However, they can be removed along with the leaves, which will also be a lot.
Next spring, some of the seeds that have not been picked will definitely germinate. They should be removed.
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any advice on new tree i transported (october glory)
caused wind burn on one side leaves are dry and brown
will this bounce back next season
thank you
Hi John, provide your maple tree with as much shade as possible for this summer. Also, water it to keep the soil around it from drying out more than an inch. However, don’t make a swamp near the tree as this can lead to root rot.
how far away from the house should it be planted so the roots won’t do any damage? also i have a slight slope to the yard where i want it …. is it ok to plant it where the yard is not level?
Hey Susan! For optimal growth and to avoid any potential foundation damage, it’s recommended to plant October Glory trees at a minimum distance of 30 feet from the house. Also these trees thrive even in areas where the yard is uneven or not level.
Hi,Thanks for the great information. I planted an October Glory tree around seven years ago, and it is gorgeous and hardy. I have one pro and one maybe con to add to your list.
Pro: One of the reasons I choose the maple is because all are female trees, so there is less pollen for my allergy prone son.
Con: The leaves stay on the tree longer than most maples and the color starts later. It is named October Glory, but it really colors up in November here in north Illinois The leaves drop so late that the city has usually stopped leaf collection and there is sometimes already snow on the ground.
Have two of these that have been planted for almost two years and they have yet to color. What could be the reason(s)?
Hello Tammy,
One possible reason is that the tree is planted in too much shade. October Glory maples need full sun and strong temperature swings in the fall to develop their color.
Another possibility is that the tree was mislabeled. Sometimes sellers accidentally — or even intentionally — sell a seed-grown red maple instead of the true October Glory cultivar.