I’ve seen a sapling on the edge of dying, and I’ve helped it pull through. The key is to keep the roots fed and the trunk protected. Water it deeply but not too often, give it some shade when the sun is brutal, and add a mulch of fallen leaves to keep the soil cool. If the bark’s cracked, wrap it in a bark‑softening moss or a damp cloth to keep the surface from drying out. And don’t forget to talk to it—trees respond to sound, so sing a low, steady tune to encourage new growth. Give it time, and the oak can recover.