Hi Susie,

Oak saplings do tend to grow shoots (sometimes called suckers) if there has been an injury to the roots, or the roots are somehow constrained from growing.  This can happen if the the sapling is planted too close to a patio, sidewalks, other large trees; or if the hole it was planted in was too deep, or shallow.   It's fine to clip these shoots off.

Can you describe in more detail what you mean by the sapling being "stressed" although it's leafed out?   It would also help to know how tall the tree is today, and the diameter of the trunk, and whether it's planted in soil that drains well after a heavy rain, or if it's planted where water stands.

Here are some links to general information about how to correctly plant a tree: 

https://chadwickarboretum.osu.edu/sites/chadwick/files/imce/pdf/Bare-RootTree%20Planting%20Instructions%20%26%20Care%20Leaflet_Final.pdf

https://u.osu.edu/knoxcountyag/2020/04/22/planting-trees-correctly/

https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/how-transplant-small-trees#:~:text=Using%20a%20spade%2C%20dig%20a,be%20used%20instead%20of%20burlap.

If your sapling is not too large, and it turns out to not be planted in an optimal location you could replant it. 

Hello,

Thanks for the information. 

The trunk diameter is about 1/2"-3/4". It is about 4 feet tall.

It is planted in an open area of the yard, lots of sunshine and water does not lay where it is planted.

No close trees or objects. Soil is well drained.

The leaves look stressed, kinda of curled, and some are not formed completed.

Thank you

Hi Susie,

There are a variety of viral and fungal diseases, and pests that can lead to deformed, and curled leaves. Some of these diseases and pests are more worrisome than others. 

Aphid infestations can also cause some leaf deformation. Usually there should be enough beneficial predator insects around your yard that an otherwise healthy tree can withstand a significant aphid infestation with no long-term harm to the tree. The honeydew secretions from aphids leave a sheen on plants below the tree or on the lower leaves. This honeydew can cause unsightly black sooty mold to form later in the season, but again, this is generally more of a cosmetic problem than a serious threat to the plant’s health. Aphids are very small and may be hard to spot, but if you notice the sheen from honeydew, this is a good indication that your tree has aphids. It would be very difficult to treat your tree to control the aphids and any treatment would harm the beneficial insect predators leaving your tree more vulnerable to a larger outbreak of aphids later in the season. For this reason, it is generally recommended to allow the naturally occurring bio-controls manage the population for you.

Another possibility for damaged leaves is an anthracnose fungus. Anthracnose can cause leaves to curl, turn brown around the edges and drop prematurely. This leaf drop happens early enough in the season that the tree will produce more leaves to replace those lost. Again, this is generally not something that would affect the long-term health of your tree.

Oak trees are host to a diverse range of insects from the caterpillars of moths and butterflies that feed on the leaves to the wasps and flies that lay their eggs on oak trees causing gall formation on leaves, stems, and flowers. This makes oaks one of the most important plants to support a healthy ecosystem by providing food for predatory insects, birds, and mammals that feed on these insects. A healthy oak tree can withstand a large amount of insect activity as well as infestation from native pathogens such as powdery mildew and anthracnose without long term decline.

You should be aware of spongy moth and oak wilt, which can both eventually kill an oak tree. While I cannot speculate that this is what is affecting your tree it’s good to be aware of what to watch for.

This article from Ohio State Extension’s Buckeye Yard and Garden Line (BYGL) has more information about aphids. And this article has information specific to aphids on oak trees.

This link from University of Minnesota covers a variety of problems that can cause oak leaves to curl.

And this article from Iowa State University has more information on anthracnose of oaks.

If you would like further assistance in identifying the issue with your tree, you can contact your county extension office, https://wood.osu.edu/  and take a sample of leaves in to the office, or request a site visit.