[3][4][5][6][7][8][9] It is a small, sometimes shrubby tree growing 6–10 m (20–33 ft) tall, with slender, arching branches.

The bark is smooth and striped at first, becoming rough and dull grey on mature trees.

The leaves are 4–10 cm long and 2–8 cm broad, palmately lobed, with five deeply toothed lobes with long acuminate tips and double-serrated margins, and with distinctive tufts of orange-red hairs in the main vein axils at the base of the leaf; the petiole is 2–5 cm long.

[3][4][5][6][8][10][11] It is most closely related to Acer tschonoskii, which replaces it further north and at higher altitudes in Japan; they have very similar leaf form.

[2][12] Though hardy down to −20 °C (−4 °F), it requires a sheltered position in neutral or acid soil with sun or partial shade.