This White Oak is estimated to be about 100 years old.
Using a growth factor of 5.0 for White Oak, a trunk diameter of 20.0 inches gives an estimated age of 100 years.
Because growth rates vary with climate, soil, sunlight and competition, the plausible range is 80 to 125 years. Urban trees with more space and water often grow faster; forest trees competing for light grow slower.
Trees in this age range often have significant ecological value as habitat for cavity-nesting birds, bats, and insects. Mature trees also provide the greatest carbon storage and stormwater interception benefits.
Next stepThis estimate is a non-destructive approximation. For the most accurate age, a professional arborist can use an increment borer to extract and count growth rings without harming the tree.