it's an interesting question, as based on everything I've read here the red maple I purchased that was labeled a Red Sunset seems to exhibit traits much closer to the October Glory.

Red Sunsets upposedly are one of the first trees to change color, while October Glory changes color late in October or more accurately in my case, in November.

Based on that, I'd have to think it is indeed the named cultivar, as it has such a specific trait so clearly identified with the one specific cultivar, combined with the fact the nursery had lots of Red Sunset and October Glory trees for sale, so it may have just been mislabeled. Plus, the color show is downright jaw dropping!

This forum has seen similar discussion about supposed "Bloodgoods".

If anyone strongly agrees or disagrees with my skepticism regarding these supposed cultivars, I'd love to hear your views.

I think your skepticism is warranted.Unless you see a graft mark there is no way to know for sure and even then in large operations I would guess trees are mislabled. For the most part though it is illrelivant since your tree will most likley be a nice one albiet possibly differnt . I have 4 12-15ft bloodgoods on one smallish area all in the same soil and light conditions all the same age and at least two are definitely a bit differnt...but all are nice trees and I love 'em so even though I was most likely LIED to I'm still happy with what I got if you get my point.
So many JM's are so much alike ( I assume many other maples are also similar to one another too) that all it would take is one mislabling and that plant could be grafted thousands of times by dozens of differnt folks as the wrong cultivar close but NO cigar.... David

Cuttings are also used for some of these maples, that may explain at least part of what you have seen. Look at web sites and catalogs (a college library with a hort. department near you--if there is one--may have a nursery catalog file or collection) of wholesale production nurseries to see what propagation methods are being used, as well as searching the topic online ("rubrum propagation", "propagation maples" - whatever). The 'Bloodgood' problem IS due to seedlings being sold in its place. Some stock offered here is so untrue it is nearly green.

MEIJI, I'm in Peabody. drop me a line.

Ron