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Simple question, really. I am trying to bring on this oak sapling, which self-seeded a year or two ago.

This year, the new leaves have just opened up, but they are looking brown on the edges. Is this OK for new leaves, or indicative of problems?

April was very dry. I did water occasionally (at least once a week). We've since had plenty of rainfall in the UK.

Oak sapling

Andrew Abbott
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  • That’s interesting. I would wager it’s a period where the chloroplasts are still “turning on”. I bet they will green when the water, light and air get the “engine revving”. Anyone know enough to explain this part of the process? – Eliot G York May 03 '20 at 00:17
  • Yes it is the lack of (enough) chloroplasts that gives the leaves another color than green, it takes time before the chloroplasts divide and multiply to give the green color in leaves. In autumn, the reverse process happens, the leaves get the same red-brown color before the tree is shedding them off. It is tree species specific however, oaks seem to do this while other species don't. – benn May 03 '20 at 12:21

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Yeah looks perfectly normal. I have some little oaks too, the first leaves always start off a bit red-brownish. You will see when they unfold at normal size they become green. No worries, they will do!

benn
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