-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000277638-03-000015.txt : 20030813
<SEC-HEADER>0000277638-03-000015.hdr.sgml : 20030813
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030813153137
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000277638-03-000015
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030812
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030813

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BOWLES HOWARD D
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001247523

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-11917
		FILM NUMBER:		03841029

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1500 NORTH MANTUA STREET
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 5193
		CITY:			KENT
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44240-5193

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DAVEY TREE EXPERT CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000277638
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	AGRICULTURE SERVICES [0700]
		IRS NUMBER:				340176110
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			OH
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1500 N MANTUA ST
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 5193
		CITY:			KENT
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44240-5193
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3306739511

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1500 NORTH MANTUA STREET
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 5193
		CITY:			KENT
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44240-5193
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-08-12</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000277638</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>DAVEY TREE EXPERT CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>None</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001247523</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BOWLES HOWARD D</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1500 NORTH MANTUA STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>P O BOX 5193</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>KENT</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>44240-5193</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Sr VP &amp; GM Davey Tree Surgery</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-08-12</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>18725</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>13.5</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>105333</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-08-12</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>24000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>6.9125</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>129333</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Exercise of option pursuant to The Davey Tree Expert Company's 1987 Incentive Stock Option Plan - grant date 12/10/93 at $6.9125 each, which is a Rule 16b-3 plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Howard D. Bowles/David E. Adante by power of atty</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-08-13</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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