The 2017 Oak Symposium was convened in Knoxville, TN, to share knowledge on state-of-the-art management and research to improve sustainability of the upland oak resource in the Eastern United States. The symposium featured 33 invited speakers, an audience discussion period, a field trip, and 21 offered posters. Speakers addressed topics including the history of silviculture, fire, and research; current status of the oak resource; emerging economic markets; forest health; silviculture for climate change; artificial regeneration; wildlife habitat management; approaches to secure natural advanced oak regeneration; prescribed burning to promote oak regeneration; and management of woodland habitat. Presenters represented various organizations from non-governmental organizations, Federal agencies, State agencies, universities, and industry.