Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
Oct. 01, 2011	Oct. 28, 2011
Common shareholders' equity:
Entity Registrant Name	DAVEY TREE EXPERT CO
Entity Central Index Key	0000277638
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Oct. 01, 2011
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		13,824,921

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