Thanks for the question.

It is hard to know exactly what is causing these things. Without seeing pictures of the various insect pests, it is very difficult to know if they are contributors to this damage. Oak wilt is a serious disease of oaks. Often it begins at the top of the tree with large patches of dead leaves. It doesn’t appear that this is the case in your situation.

The leaf damage makes me wonder if any herbicides have been used within the last few weeks in the vicinity of the tree. By “vicinity”, I’m thinking of up to a half mile or so from the tree. Droplets of herbicide could have been wind-carried to your tree.

If this tree was planted in 2023, it perhaps is still trying to establish a sustaining root system. This could lead to the browning of the leaves and even leaf drop. This is known as “transplant shock”.

See the following for further information on these and related points:

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

https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/oak-wilt-minnesota

https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/bp/bp-31.html - :~:text=Leaf scorch is a common,dries out and turns brown.

https://nfs.unl.edu/publications/herbicide-damage-trees

For the time being, I would suggest a “wait and see” approach. Keep the tree well-watered. Our recent rains will help in this regard. Keep monitoring the situation over the next few months. Sometimes new leaves will appear. If in spring 2025 no new foliage appears, tree replacement may be in order.

Good luck. Thanks for using our forum