By Roderick Cameron, International Oak Society
The International Oak Society held its Triennial Conference in Oaxaca, Mexico in October. These are always memorable events, but this one was particularly rich in experiences and celebrations of all-things-oak. The International Oak Society (IOS) is a nonprofit organisation and global network dedicated to the conservation, study, and appreciation of oaks around the world.
For three days, 140 participants from 20 countries enjoyed a wide array of presentations that covered subjects from latest phylogenetic analysis and micropropagation techniques, through taxonomy and nomenclature, to botanical art, the passion that drives the creation of an arboretum, and sacred oaks.
We heard about oaks from all over: Mexico, of course, but also many parts of the USA, from the UK, Hungary, Serbia, Morocco, Australia, Japan, China, Vietnam, among others… in some cases linking live with presenters across the globe. We were entertained by a Mariachi band and a Guelaguetza show of Oaxacan folk dancing during our Gala Dinner.
For those who participated in the whole package, we spent and extra fortnight touring Mexico before and after the Conference, travelling from Morelia down to Oaxaca and then exploring the oak riches of Oaxaca, the most oak-diverse state in the most oak-diverse country. Highlights included Quercus insignis in Veracruz with the genus’ largest acorns, and several knee-high shrub oaks, one of which had only just been described (Quercus purhepecha) and one which is new to science.
As with all our Conferences, it was not just the presentations and the experiences: the most important component is the people, meeting up with old friends and making new ones, all united by our querciphilia (love of oaks). We now eagerly look forward to our next conference, which will take place in Lusitania (Portugal and western Spain).
You can read another review of the 2025 IOS conference by Nikola Šušić here