Shade tree conference
Save the date:
71st Annual Shade Tree Conference
January 13-15, 2027
Hilton Garden Inn Manhattan
410 S 3rd Street, Manhattan, KS 66502
The Shade Tree Conference is KAA’s premier training event, held annually in January. The conference includes three full days of training with multiple topics, a variety of speakers, vendors of arborist tools and equipment, networking, board member elections, an awards banquet, and more. Attendees may opt to attend single days or the full event.
KAA Certified Arborists are required to attend Shade Tree Conference or Summer Field Day at least once every two years. Many of the conference sessions also qualify for Continuing Education Units for International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborists and for Kansas Certified Commercial Pesticide Applicators.
Summer field day
Summer Field Day is held annually in June. This event offers an opportunity to meet outdoors with training on climbing, rigging, safety, and/or pest management. Dedicated local vendors of arborist tools and equipment also attend, with opportunities for demonstration. Some years the event includes competitions such as axe throwing.
Week-long training held annually in October.
2026 Training Dates: October 12-16, 2026
Please note: Online registration is not offered for this training due to the popularity of the course. KAA members are given first notification of registration availability. Notification occurs via postal mail, with flyers sent approximately 6-8 weeks prior to the beginning of the course. Interested parties should complete and submit their applications promptly to secure a space. The course is limited to 40 trainees and fills quickly every year.
We are working towards an option for email notification and hope to have it in place soon. Stay tuned!
Day of service
This event was held annually for many years as an effort to give back to local communities and provide services on public land. KAA no longer organizes a formal service event. Arborists are encouraged to participate in Saluting Branches, a national service day for arborists that honors veteran remembrance.
Saluting Branches 2026 is Wednesday, September 16. The Kansas location is Leavenworth National Cemetery. Sign up to participate and find more information at https://www.salutingbranches.org/.
