[3] Acer spicatum is a deciduous shrub or small tree growing to 3–8 m (10–25 ft) tall, forming a spreading crown with a short trunk and slender branches.

They are coarsely and irregularly toothed with a light green hairless surface and a finely hairy underside.

The fruit is a paired reddish samara, 2–3 cm (3⁄4–1+1⁄4 in) long, maturing in late summer to early autumn.

[5] Mammals such as moose, deer, beavers, and rabbits browse the bark; ruffed grouse eat the buds.

Indigenous peoples infused the piths of young twigs to produce treatments for eye irritation and made poultices from boiled root chips.