-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 IlK+TYvQrdXltIcv8affaVKU8Gdxuqw/zDGQhoUntBgGWv3Q/kbqBZfOVU3nEtMS
 FD673ZbpFyyVPkYc9wciBQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000277638-05-000075.txt : 20050930
<SEC-HEADER>0000277638-05-000075.hdr.sgml : 20050930
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050930124452
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000277638-05-000075
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050928
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050930
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050930

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

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CELMER C KENNETH
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001247526

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-11917
		FILM NUMBER:		051113350

	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>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-09-28</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000277638</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>DAVEY TREE EXPERT CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>N/A</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001247526</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CELMER C KENNETH</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, Residential/Commrc'l</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-09-28</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2670</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>21</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>67148</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>C. Kenneth Celmer/David E. Adante by Power of Attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-09-30</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----