Hi Leslie,

Many oaks are having problems, mainly because of environmental stress and the diseases and bugs that attack those trees when they're weak.

This page will help you with clues about what else may be going on:

https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/deciduous/oak/

I'd encourage you to watch this excellent video presentation from the DNR's forest health program coordinator. It will help you in your discussions with an arborist. Oaks are the trees he mentions most, and he says diagnosing problems right now is difficult because the trees face so many challenges. The video is an hour long but if you want to cut to the chase on what homeowners can do, go to minute 45. (A clue about his message: if it’s dry, you MUST water.)

We can’t recommend specific vendors but you can find a certified arborist here:

https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist

I hope this helps! Good luck.