One of my live oaks turned mostly red last week. The other one in the front yard is very green. The only difference between the two trees is a buck got after this one earlier in the fall and rubbed a good sized spot on it. Is this a dying tree or one that is getting ready to put on new foliage?

Bump for possible answer from weekend crowd.

Is one one the north side and the other somewhat more protected from the north wind?

Nov. 2016 I had a live oak at deer camp that was starting to change color. I was concerned and posted here. The tree was fine throughout 2017.

Yours is probably okay too. I don't think the rub scar will kill it.

No they are both out in the north wind, are both the same size and both were planted at the exact same time.

We've had rub scars on fruit trees way worse than that and they survived. I don't think that's going to hurt it too bad if you can keep them off of it with one of those pvc protectors.

Our live oaks start to look sad once a year and a few weeks later half the leaves are on the ground and they're full of new leaves. Probably what will happen for yours as well.

Yup about this time of year I get the tops looking Iike that and it recovers no problem. I figure it's just shedding a bit

Are your trees very old? I'm not a tree expert by any means, but in our neighborhood of CS, there are a lot of older oaks. They have so many leaves that it can be hard to tell that they are 'shedding' but if you look closely, you will see a lot of dead leaves on the branches. It almost looks like your tree is doing the same thing, only it's younger so it doesn't have all the leaves that a mature tree would have.

They're young trees.

I think you guys are right it is probably just turning earlier than the other tree due to the stress from the buck rub. I was looking online and it said if a live oak turns and holds onto it's leaves then it's probably a goner and if it turns and they come off easy it's likely to come out with new growth soon. Anyone know if that's accurate? (The reddish brown leaves on my tree come off pretty easy)

Each live oak is different. Some drop earlier than others. Some drop more than others. And some have more acorns than others.

A revelation!

Ace my buddy's Giant oak in his back yard did this one year. We thought it was a gonner and he'd have firewood for ten years.

A couple of weeks later is was perfect.

Badace52 said:

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They're young trees.

I think you guys are right it is probably just turning earlier than the other tree due to the stress from the buck rub. I was looking online and it said if a live oak turns and holds onto it's leaves then it's probably a goner and if it turns and they come off easy it's likely to come out with new growth soon. Anyone know if that's accurate? (The reddish brown leaves on my tree come off pretty easy)

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That is definitely the case from what I've seen as well. I have planted many live oaks over the years and I sometimes have an arborist come out and give me his opinion on how they are doing. His recommendation is generally to leave them alone, don't over-water, don't trim young trees very much, don't worry about deer horn damage, don't auger the hole you plant them in and don't plant them closer than 80 feet apart.

I think he tells me all of this because I have a tendency to break every one of these rules!!

Deer have antlers, not horns.

Relax, it's just an early one.

Its normal leaf drop time. Your fine. Keep that moisture competing grass away from base for a couple more years.