Autumn Blaze Maple Tree vs October Glory

Written by Jennifer Gaeng
Updated: December 1, 2022
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Two of the most amazing maple trees out there are often confused with one another. Both Autumn blaze and October glory maple trees are two very similar, red maple trees. However, they vary in multiple ways, such as size, growth rate, and the conditions in which they grow best. In this article, we will explore the Autumn blaze maple tree vs October glory while learning more about each tree!

Size: Autumn Blaze Maple Tree vs October Glory

One of the biggest differences between these trees is their size. While many do not consider the size of trees to be useful information, this is actually quite important from an ecological standpoint, as well as for gardening purposes. Tree height is often important because of the trees’ competition for sunlight. The taller the tree, the more success it has to flourish. The more suppressed a tree becomes, the higher the chance for it to die out. Tree height also plays an important role for wildlife, mostly because of shade streams and the effect that it has on vegetation. This is also how many data samples of natural resources are collected.

Autumn Blaze Maple

Autumn Blaze maple trees

Autumn Blaze maple trees (pictured here) can grow more than 50 feet tall and spread out up to 40 feet.

©LifeisticAC/Shutterstock.com

The Autumn blaze maple is very similar in size to the October glory. However, it does grow faster. In fact, after the same period of time, the Autumn maple can grow to be larger than the October glory. Usually, these trees will grow to about 50 feet in height and can spread up to forty feet with their voluminously adorned branches. These trees are very weak in structure and do not live for very long, so it’s best to plant them away from structures or buildings.

October Glory

Two Acer rubrum 'October Glory' maple trees with beautiful red autumn foliage in a park

The October Glory maple (pictured here) can grow up to 50 feet tall.

©AngieC333/Shutterstock.com

As previously mentioned, for a small period of growth time, the October glory may be a bit smaller than the Autumn blaze maple. Naturally, this tree grows a bit slower than its competitor. However, the average height during maturity is about the same as the autumn maple. Once an October glory is mature, it can grow anywhere from 40 to 50 feet in height, spreading an average of 35 feet with its branches and leaves, also showcasing the smaller compared to the Autumn blaze maple tree.

Growth Rate: Autumn Blaze Maple Tree vs October Glory

A tree’s growth rate is also important. This is due to many factors, such as their role in carbon and water cycles, as well as wood production. Measuring the growth rate of trees can help foresters gauge stock levels, crown competition, and forest health. This also has a direct impact on climate reconstruction, wildlife in the area, and data collection. Not only is growth rate important for forests, but it is also important for those that are planning on planting. A slow growth rate means that some plants and trees can grow up to 12 inches in a year. A medium growth rate can average 13 to 24 inches a year while fast-growing trees can grow anywhere from 25 inches or above per year.

Autumn Blaze Maple

Autumn Blaze maple tree in fall

The Autumn Blaze maple tree (pictured here) has gorgeous and colorful red and orange leaves in the fall.

©The Po/Shutterstock.com

The Autumn blaze maple has a fast growth rate, usually growing more than 24 inches per year. Since it reaches about 40 to 50 feet in height, that means it can take nearly 15 to 20 years for it to reach its maximum size when it’s planted.

October Glory

October Glory

October Glory (pictured here) is a large and beautiful type of Maple tree with a fast growth rate.

©AngieC333/Shutterstock.com

The October glory also has a fast growth rate. Typically, these maple trees grow anywhere from 13 to 24 inches a year, so they can have a bit of a slower growth rate when compared to the Autumn blaze. Because of this, it usually can take around twenty years to grow to full maturity.

Hardiness Zones: Autumn Blaze Maple Tree vs October Glory

Plant hardiness zones are divided into 11 different areas from Canada to the United States. They are based on a 10-degree Fahrenheit difference on average, with minimal temperature requirements per year. For example, Zone 2 is negative 40 to 50 degrees, while Zone 10 is 30 to 40 degrees. The United States usually falls between Zone 2 and 10, from north to south. These zones are the areas in which trees will have the potential to thrive.

Autumn Blaze Maple

Autumn blaze maple tree leaves.

The Autumn Blaze (pictured here) is native to North America and thrives in hardiness zones 3 to 8.

©Jeff Caverly/Shutterstock.com

The Autumn blaze is native to North America, so it is probable to be found in Canada. However, the hardiness zone is often 2 or below, so it is more likely to thrive in more central regions of America. This tree has a hardiness zone of 3 to 8, meaning that it can be hardy in areas such as the northwest, midwest, east coast, and even some parts of the south like Texas or Alabama.

October Glory

October Glory

The October Glory (pictured here) is also native to North America and thrives in hardiness zones 4 to 9.

©Vampyre Zen/Shutterstock.com

The October glory is also native to North America, however, its hardiness zones are a bit different from the Autumn blaze maple. These trees’ hardiness zones range from 4 to 9, meaning that they can be expected to be hardy in areas such as the northwest, midwest, east coast, and even southern parts of Texas and northern regions of Florida.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it’s very easy to see how similar both the autumn blaze maple and the October glory maple are to one another. Although they have slight differences in size, growth rate, and hardiness zones, both of these trees are still very much alike. In fact, the October glory is actually considered to be an offspring of the Autumn blaze, which explains its baby-like qualities when compared to the autumn blaze. Regardless, both of these maple trees are stunning and incredibly important to our planet!

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The photo featured at the top of this post is © Jeff Caverly/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Jennifer Gaeng is a writer at A-Z-Animals focused on animals, lakes, and fishing. With over 15 years of collective experience in writing and researching, Jennifer has honed her skills in various niches, including nature, animals, family care, and self-care. Hailing from Missouri, Jennifer finds inspiration in spending quality time with her loved ones. Her creative spirit extends beyond her writing endeavors, as she finds joy in the art of drawing and immersing herself in the beauty of nature.

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Sources
  1. The Spruce, Available here: https://www.thespruce.com/autumn-blaze-maple-trees-2132093
  2. Arboday, Available here: https://www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/TreeDetail.cfm?ItemID=1205
  3. World of Garden Plants, Available here: https://worldofgardenplants.com/october-glory-maple-vs-autumn-blaze/