Emerald Lace has leaves much smaller than other green laceleafs such as Waterfall or Viridis. The leaves are finely dissected, resembling the leaves of the filigree maples. Fall color comes early in the season, starting in late August and going through October, gradually changing from a rusty-orange to a deep crimson red. When trained upright, this variety forms a graceful fountain-like tree. If unstaked, it forms a low rounded canopy scarcely 2 or 3 feet in height!