Hello Matthew,

Thank you for reaching out to the UVM Extension Ask Extension Helpline with your questions regarding damage to your young oak.

Not knowing myself the probable cause I consulted with the UVM Plant Pathologist and she responded as follows:

“ Weird, I am not seeing any little webs in this picture. The damage looks to me like old anthracnose damage. This fungal disease was common last spring in maples, oaks and ash. https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/fact-sheets/oak-anthracnose

It is of minor importance and will not affect the health of the tree.. I am happy to talk with the home gardener to see if they can show us what they mean by webs.. If he is seeing actual webs, it could be fall webworm..https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/the_rise_and_fall_of_the_fall_webworm

Ann”

Please feel free to contact us should you have further questions.

Enjoy Spring

Jeff Nummelin

UVM Extension Master Gardener Volunteer