Hello.....

I'm new to this forum, so I searched and couldn't find a reference to this issue, thus the posting.

In December we moved into a newly built home in Collin County and the builder's special were two live oak trees in the front yard. If I had to guess, the trees are about 3 years old.

That being said, here is what I need help with.

One of the live oak trees budded and has the tyical green leaves. The other tree, planted about 30 feet apart, budded and produced all red leaves, about the color of a Japanese Maple. Yes, I'm positive it's an Oak tree.

I can't find a reference as to why the tree has red leaves.

Does anyone have input as to why this is and if it's a problem? The color is pretty, but it looks out of place in the Spring. Could it be wilt?

Oh...and while I was taking a pic of the tree just now, I noticed there was at least one catepillar in the tree. I'm assuming that's not a good thing.
thanks in advance for your replies.

Are the leaves red, or are they really just in the beginning process of being wilted?

That's what I don't really know. These are the new leaves for this spring and they're red. I spoke with someone at a nursery today in Frisco and they thought it may be normal. It just doesn't look normal to me.....

We bought a new build 3 years ago down in Houston. The front yard came with a "live oak" according to the home builders. Every fall, the leaves turn bright red. It looses it's leaves during the winter and then sprout bright green leaves in the spring. I understand young live oaks will often loose it's leaves in the winter until they mature, but ours feature bright red leaves. I've taken the leaves to nurseries and they confirm it's a live oak, although I still have doubts. I am planning on taking the leaves to the county's conservation headquarters to double check. Will check back when I acquire info. Hope this input helps until then.

thanks for the feedback. Ours lost a lot of leaves during the Winter and then the new leaves came in bright red as well as green. I'm begging to wonder if it's not oak wilt.