Acer opalus (Italian maple) grows from a shrub form into a medium-sized tree with an ovoid to ovoid crown. Its twigs, bark and leaves are not particularly spectacular. The leaves of this Italian maple are quite variable in shape; the number of lobes varies from 3 to 7. The tips of the lobes are pointed to rounded. The upper side of the leaf is hairless, the underside is initially completely hairy, later only on the main veins. The flower stalks are also hairy, which is a distinctive feature of Acer opalus. The autumn colours can be red to deep red-brown, but are highly dependent on location and local climate. The two winged fruits are at right to acute angles to each other.
Acer opalus rastie priemerne rastúci a môže dorastať do výšky v závislosti od podmienok stanovišťa a klímy.
Listy stromu Acer opalus sa na jeseň sfarbia do žltá, oranžová, červená."
Správny čas na výsadbu stromu je mimo vegetačné obdobie. V strednej Európe môže byť Acer opalus so zemným balom vysadený od polovice novembra do konca apríla, avšak závisí to veľmi od klimatických podmienok a druhu stromu.