Snow sprinkles the leaves of a red maple tree.
The October Glory, a cultivar of the red maple tree, is also referred to as a scarlet, soft or red maple tree. It grows densely across the Eastern United States and Canada. Does this Spark an idea?
Location Lifespan
The lifespan of an October Glory is typically dependent on the hydration it receives. All species of maple require significant irrigation for both health and growth -- a consideration when the tree is planted in city locales. "It has a moderate lifespan in urban areas; it is longer-lived in wet areas," according to Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service.
Annual Growth
The Arbor Day Foundation reports the growth rate of the tree is medium to fast with medium considered to be 13 to 24 inches of growth annually. The October Glory often surpasses 2 feet of growth annually on its way to a lifespan average of between 40 and 50 feet in height and 25 to 35 feet in width.
Average Lifespan
The Ladd Arboretum and Evanston Ecology Center in Evanston, Ill., indicates that an October Glory red maple matures completely in 70 to 80 years, with some achieving a lifespan of 150 years. However,
Pennsylvania State University notes that the soft nature of the wood often leads to weakened branches and trunk, contributing to an average expected lifespan of less than 100 years.
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