Judging by the low branches, that was an old shade tree in some cleared pasture that the woods have now reclaimed- notice how all the smaller trees are tall and straight, with high forks. That old white oak was probably alone until everything around it sprung up.Ever feel like you just don't belong any more. Like you don't fit in, or the world has marched on and left you in it's wake?
I suspect that's how this old white oak feels. I see a lot of trees like this. If this was my land (it is public), I'd do some clearing around this old warrior.
View attachment 219417
With any luck, it'll be the small one 100 years from now as the rest of the woods mature.