Contingencies	9 Months Ended
Oct. 01, 2011
Contingencies [Abstract]
Legal Matters and Contingencies [Text Block]	Contingencies We are party to a number of lawsuits, threatened lawsuits and other claims arising out of the normal course of business. With respect to all such matters, we record an accrual for a loss contingency when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. If we can only estimate a range of probable loss, an amount representing the low end of the range of probable outcomes is recorded. Management has assessed all such matters, including those described below, based on current information and made a judgment concerning their potential outcome, giving due consideration to the nature of the claim, the amount and nature of damages sought and the probability of success. Management’s judgment is made subject to the known uncertainty of litigation and management’s judgment as to estimates made may prove materially different from actual results. California Fire Litigation: San Diego County--Davey Tree Surgery Company, a Davey subsidiary, and Davey Resource Group, a Davey division, have previously been sued, together with a utility services customer, San Diego Gas & Electric ("SDG&E"), and its parent company, as defendants, and as cross-defendants in cross-complaints filed by the utility service customer, in the Superior Court of the State of California in and for the County of San Diego, arising out of a wildfire in San Diego County that started on October 22, 2007, referred to as the Rice Canyon fire. Numerous lawsuits related to the Rice Canyon fire were filed against SDG&E, its parent company, Sempra Energy, and Davey. The earliest of the lawsuits naming Davey was filed on April 18, 2008. The court ordered that the lawsuits be organized into four groups based on type of plaintiff, namely insurance subrogation claimants, individual/business claimants, governmental claimants, and plaintiffs seeking class certification. Plaintiffs’ motions seeking class certification have since been denied. SDG&E has filed cross-complaints against Davey for contractual indemnity, declaratory relief, and breach of contract. SDG&E has reportedly settled many of the third-party claims and is now actively asserting damage claims against Davey. Davey has notified its insurers of the Rice Canyon fire claims, is vigorously defending the third-party claims, and continues to work with the insurers both to defend the claims and to ensure coverage of any potential liabilities. At this time, Davey believes that insurance coverage and recorded accruals are sufficient to provide for losses related to these potential liabilities. However, due to the nature and extent of these claims, an adverse result in these proceedings leading to a loss in excess of Davey’s available insurance coverage could have a material and adverse effect on Davey’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Adverse results, even if within the limits of Davey’s available insurance coverage, could materially and adversely (a) affect Davey’s ability to obtain comparable insurance in the future, or, (b) if such insurance were obtainable, affect the policy limits, premiums, self-insured retentions and other terms and conditions there

Contingencies

We are party to a number of lawsuits, threatened lawsuits and other claims arising out of the normal course of business. With respect to all such matters, we record an accrual for a loss contingency when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. If we can only estimate a range of probable loss, an amount representing the low end of the range of probable outcomes is recorded.

Management has assessed all such matters, including those described below, based on current information and made a judgment concerning their potential outcome, giving due consideration to the nature of the claim, the amount and nature of damages sought and the probability of success. Management’s judgment is made subject to the known uncertainty of litigation and management’s judgment as to estimates made may prove materially different from actual results.

California Fire Litigation: San Diego County--Davey Tree Surgery Company, a Davey subsidiary, and Davey Resource Group, a Davey division, have previously been sued, together with a utility services customer, San Diego Gas & Electric ("SDG&E"), and its parent company, as defendants, and as cross-defendants in cross-complaints filed by the utility service customer, in the Superior Court of the State of California in and for the County of San Diego, arising out of a wildfire in San Diego County that started on October 22, 2007, referred to as the Rice Canyon fire.

Numerous lawsuits related to the Rice Canyon fire were filed against SDG&E, its parent company, Sempra Energy, and Davey. The earliest of the lawsuits naming Davey was filed on April 18, 2008. The court ordered that the lawsuits be organized into four groups based on type of plaintiff, namely insurance subrogation claimants, individual/business claimants, governmental claimants, and plaintiffs seeking class certification. Plaintiffs’ motions seeking class certification have since been denied. SDG&E has filed cross-complaints against Davey for contractual indemnity, declaratory relief, and breach of contract. SDG&E has reportedly settled many of the third-party claims and is now actively asserting damage claims against Davey.

Davey has notified its insurers of the Rice Canyon fire claims, is vigorously defending the third-party claims, and continues to work with the insurers both to defend the claims and to ensure coverage of any potential liabilities.

At this time, Davey believes that insurance coverage and recorded accruals are sufficient to provide for losses related to these potential liabilities.

However, due to the nature and extent of these claims, an adverse result in these proceedings leading to a loss in excess of Davey’s available insurance coverage could have a material and adverse effect on Davey’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Adverse results, even if within the limits of Davey’s available insurance coverage, could materially and adversely (a) affect Davey’s ability to obtain comparable insurance in the future, or, (b) if such insurance were obtainable, affect the policy limits, premiums, self-insured retentions and other terms and conditions there