Unique Features: The ‘Rubrum’ maple is native to the eastern part of North America and is adapted to acidic soils, so it will need iron and sulfur soil amendments to avoid developing chlorosis in our high pH soil. The twigs, buds, flowers and seeds are all red on this group of maples, but the fall colors can be shades of yellow, orange, red and burgundy. It does fine with average moisture but can tolerate wet sites. The October Glory grows into rounded shape with medium green, 3-lobed leaves that are not as deeply cut. Maples start moving sap early and that makes them prone to ‘frost cracking’, which damages the circulatory system of the tree.  To prevent this, wrap the tree from about Thanksgiving until Easter. This ‘early awakening’ also necessitates an increase in the winter watering at this time.