Trees, Shrubs and Conifers: Advice on planting sugar maple, 0 by HoosierGreen

HoosierGreen wrote:
'October Glory', 'Red Sunset', and 'Autumn Blaze' are all cultivars of red maple (Acer rubrum)...well, actually the last is a cross with red maple and something else and more closely resembles a silver maple. Red maples have excellent fall color and are much faster growing than sugar maples, so you might consider getting one of those.

However, it's important that you get a tree that has been grown in your area (acclimated). When you buy a tree from a big box store, unless the source is on the tag (which it often is), you might be getting a cultivar that won't do well in your area. However, if you have a local nursery that actually grows their trees, you can be sure they will do well for you. This is more of a problem in northern zones that get trees brought in from southern nurseries, but still can be a problem for your area if trees come from south of you.

One thing more about nursery vs. big box trees: With rare exceptions, you're getting a better grown tree from a nursery. The price might be more, but a nursery tree is more likely to have been regularly root-pruned with a nice "head" of branches and overall shape resulting in a much healthier and attractive tree. This is not to say that you can't find deals at big box stores, but you have to be very careful. (Regardless, BE SURE to get a named cultivar, not just a species tree. Named cultivars are usually all males, so you don't get hundreds (thousands!) of those little whirligigs every spring as you will with a straight species tree! Ex: Acer rubrum 'October Glory' vs. just Acer rubrum on the label)

Attached is a photo of 'Red Sunset' red maple in fine fall foliage.