Burr Oak Canyon Tree Symposium Returns After Seven Year Hiatus
MCCOOK, Neb. — After a seven-year hiatus, the Burr Oak Canyon Tree Symposium returns this October to celebrate not only one of the hardiest trees in Nebraska, but the people who study and appreciate trees. From Oct. 28-30, get hands-on with trees, enjoy a barbecue at Common Scents Nursery, tour Burr Oak Canyon and learn from renowned scientists, professors and foresters from all over the United States.
Informational sessions will cover soil science, tree pruning, tree selection for the great plains, the human health benefits of trees and so much more – each hosted by a guest speaker with specialized expertise in their field. Those in attendance can enjoy presentations and demonstrations by Kathleen Wolf, University of Washington; Gary Johnson, Professor Emeritus, University of Minnesota; James Cassidy, Oregon State University; Tim Buchanan, retired City Forester, Fort Collins CO; Greg Morgenson, retired, North Dakota State University; and Graham Herbst, Nebraska Forest Service.
“This is an incredible lineup of speakers coming together for what promises to be an exceptional conference,” event organizer Bruce Hoffman said. “Healthy soils and trees and how they relate to our own personal mental and physical health is our focus. We’ve had lots of rain so we are also set for a wonderful evening cookout that will include a bonfire.”
Under the Burr Oaks: A Gathering on Trees and Human Health is an event planned and supported by the Norris Institute, Nebraska Forest Service, McCook Community College and Common Scents Nursery. It will be hosted from Oct. 28-30, 2026 at McCook Community College East Campus, 905 7th Street, McCook, Nebraska.
Register by Oct. 15 to avoid a late fee. Space is limited to 150 people. To register, call (308) 344-8604 or visit https://discover.mpcc.edu/, click Area: McCook and search for Burr Oak. Here, you can select which sessions of the conference you would like to register for. Go to visitmccook.com/lodging to secure lodging for the event.