Conformal dimension of hyperbolic groups that split over elementary subgroups

Abstract: We study the (Ahlfors regular) conformal dimension of the boundary at infinity of Gromov hyperbolic groups which split over elementary subgroups. If such a group is not virtually free, we show that the conformal dimension is equal to the maximal value of the conformal dimension of the vertex groups, or 1, whichever is greater, and we characterise when the conformal dimension is attained. As a consequence, we are able to characterise which Gromov hyperbolic groups (without $2$-torsion) have conformal dimension 1, answering a question of Bonk and Kleiner.