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Stock-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
9 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Sep. 27, 2014
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Percentage of Outstanding Stock Maximum 10.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPercentageOfOutstandingStockMaximum 5.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPercentageOfOutstandingStockMaximum    
Salaries, Wages and Officers' Compensation [Abstract]        
Compensation expense, all share-based payment plans   $ 1,860us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense $ 1,411us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense $ 1,508us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
Income tax benefit   549us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense 348us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense 383us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Abstract]        
Shares purchased during the year   115,029us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions and Methodology [Abstract]        
Volatility rate   11.20%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsWeightedAverageVolatilityRate 11.30%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsWeightedAverageVolatilityRate 11.70%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsWeightedAverageVolatilityRate
Risk-free interest rate   2.60%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate 2.10%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate 1.60%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
Expected dividend yield   1.10%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate 1.50%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate 1.50%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate
Expected life of awards (years)   9 years 4 months 24 days 9 years 4 months 24 days 9 years 1 month 6 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]        
Outstanding, beginning balance 662,246us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber 662,246us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber    
Granted, Stock Options   183,500us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod    
Exercised   (74,715)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised    
Forfeited   900us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod    
Outstanding, ending balance   770,131us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber 662,246us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber  
Exercisable, ending balance   388,851us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price   $ 14.70us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]        
Granted, weighted average exercise price   $ 26.40us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice    
Exercised, weighted average exercise price   $ 13.11us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice    
Forfeited, weighted average exercise price   $ 24.98us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice    
Outstanding, weighted average exercise price, ending balance   $ 19.33us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice $ 16.68us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice  
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term   6 years 3 months 4 days    
Exercisable, weighted average remaining contractual life (years)   3 years 10 months 13 days    
Outstanding, unrecognized compensation cost   1,509davey_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingUnrecognizedCompensationCost    
Outstanding, aggregate intrinsic value   6,523us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingAggregateIntrinsicValue    
Exercisable, aggregate intrinisic value   5,094us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestExercisableAggregateIntrinsicValue    
Proceeds and Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation   354us-gaap_ProceedsAndExcessTaxBenefitFromSharebasedCompensation 242us-gaap_ProceedsAndExcessTaxBenefitFromSharebasedCompensation 402us-gaap_ProceedsAndExcessTaxBenefitFromSharebasedCompensation
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]        
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Abstract]        
Employee stock purchase, discount from market price, purchase date   15.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDiscountFromMarketPricePurchaseDate
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= davey_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember
   
Number of employees participating   1,684davey_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfEmployeesParticipating
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= davey_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember
1,500davey_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfEmployeesParticipating
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= davey_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember
1,157davey_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfEmployeesParticipating
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= davey_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember
Shares purchased during the year   115,029us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= davey_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember
118,444us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= davey_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember
136,947us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= davey_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember
Weighted-average per share purchase price paid   $ 23.07davey_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanWeightedAveragePurchasePriceOfSharesPurchased
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= davey_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember
$ 20.01davey_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanWeightedAveragePurchasePriceOfSharesPurchased
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= davey_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember
$ 17.20davey_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanWeightedAveragePurchasePriceOfSharesPurchased
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= davey_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember
Cumulative shares purchased since 1982   8,751,255davey_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanCumulativeSharesPurchased
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= davey_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember
8,636,226davey_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanCumulativeSharesPurchased
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= davey_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember
8,517,782davey_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanCumulativeSharesPurchased
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= davey_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]        
Salaries, Wages and Officers' Compensation [Abstract]        
Compensation expense, all share-based payment plans   463us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= davey_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember
417us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= davey_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember
415us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= davey_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Abstract]        
Employee stock purchase plan, service period   1 year    
Employee stock purchase plan, percentage of market price, purchase date   85.00%davey_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPercentageOfMarketPricePurchaseDate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= davey_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember
   
Employee stock purchase, discount from market price, purchase date   15.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDiscountFromMarketPricePurchaseDate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= davey_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember
   
Stock Options [Member]        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Share-based compensation, vesting period   10 years    
Salaries, Wages and Officers' Compensation [Abstract]        
Compensation expense, all share-based payment plans   398us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
234us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
166us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]        
Number outstanding   770,131us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
   
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)     6 years 3 months 4 days  
Outstanding options, weighted average exercise price   $ 19.33us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
   
Number exercisable   388,851us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfExercisableOptions
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
   
Exercisable options, weighted average exercise price   $ 14.70us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePrice1
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
   
Stock Options [Member] | $11.25 [Member]        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]        
Lower range limit   $ 11.25us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= davey_ExercisePriceRangeRange1Member
   
Upper range limit   $ 11.25us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= davey_ExercisePriceRangeRange1Member
   
Number outstanding   170,047us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= davey_ExercisePriceRangeRange1Member
   
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)     1 year 5 months 5 days  
Outstanding options, weighted average exercise price   $ 11.25us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= davey_ExercisePriceRangeRange1Member
   
Number exercisable   170,047us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfExercisableOptions
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= davey_ExercisePriceRangeRange1Member
   
Exercisable options, weighted average exercise price   $ 11.25us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePrice1
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= davey_ExercisePriceRangeRange1Member
   
Stock Options [Member] | $16.00 [Member]        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]        
Lower range limit   $ 16.00us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= davey_ExercisePriceRangeRange2Member
   
Upper range limit   $ 16.0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= davey_ExercisePriceRangeRange2Member
   
Number outstanding   113,234us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= davey_ExercisePriceRangeRange2Member
   
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)     4 years 10 months 2 days  
Outstanding options, weighted average exercise price   $ 16.00us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= davey_ExercisePriceRangeRange2Member
   
Number exercisable   113,234us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfExercisableOptions
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= davey_ExercisePriceRangeRange2Member
   
Exercisable options, weighted average exercise price   $ 16.00us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePrice1
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= davey_ExercisePriceRangeRange2Member
   
Stock Options [Member] | $16.60 [Member]        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]        
Lower range limit   $ 16.60us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= davey_ExercisePriceRangeRange3Member
   
Upper range limit   $ 16.60us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= davey_ExercisePriceRangeRange3Member
   
Number outstanding   108,900us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= davey_ExercisePriceRangeRange3Member
   
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)     5 years 10 months 2 days  
Outstanding options, weighted average exercise price   $ 16.60us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= davey_ExercisePriceRangeRange3Member
   
Number exercisable   69,420us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfExercisableOptions
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= davey_ExercisePriceRangeRange3Member
   
Exercisable options, weighted average exercise price   $ 16.60us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePrice1
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= davey_ExercisePriceRangeRange3Member
   
Stock Options [Member] | $23.20 [Member]        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]        
Lower range limit   $ 23.20us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= davey_ExercisePriceRangeRange4Member
   
Upper range limit   $ 23.20us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= davey_ExercisePriceRangeRange4Member
   
Number outstanding   194,950us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= davey_ExercisePriceRangeRange4Member
   
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)     8 years 5 months 23 days  
Outstanding options, weighted average exercise price   $ 23.20us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= davey_ExercisePriceRangeRange4Member
   
Number exercisable   36,150us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfExercisableOptions
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= davey_ExercisePriceRangeRange4Member
   
Exercisable options, weighted average exercise price   $ 23.20us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePrice1
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= davey_ExercisePriceRangeRange4Member
   
Stock Options [Member] | $ 16.40 [Member]        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]        
Number outstanding   183,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= davey_ExercisePriceRangeRange5Member
   
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)     9 years 6 months  
Number exercisable   0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfExercisableOptions
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= davey_ExercisePriceRangeRange5Member
   
Exercisable options, weighted average exercise price   $ 26.40us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePrice1
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= davey_ExercisePriceRangeRange5Member
   
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Share-based compensation, vesting period   5 years    
Salaries, Wages and Officers' Compensation [Abstract]        
Compensation expense, all share-based payment plans   384us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
315us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
185us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]        
Unvested, beginning balance 283,453us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
283,453us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
   
Granted   127,050us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
   
Forfeited   0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
   
Vested   (107,232)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
   
Unvested, ending balance   303,271us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
283,453us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
 
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]        
Unvested, weighted average award date value, beginning balance $ 3.15us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
$ 3.15us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
   
Granted, weighted average award date value   $ 4.88us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
   
Forfeited, weighted average award date value   $ 0.00us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
   
Vested, weighted average award date value   $ 3.26us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
   
Unvested, weighted average award date value, ending balance   $ 3.84us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
$ 3.15us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
 
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)   2 years    
Unrecognized compensation cost   865us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
   
Aggregate intrinsic value   8,431davey_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedAggregateIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
   
Employee SSARs [Member]        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]        
Unvested, ending balance   286,294us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= davey_EmployeeSsarsMember
   
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]        
Unvested, weighted average award date value, ending balance   $ 3.92us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= davey_EmployeeSsarsMember
   
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)   2 years    
Unrecognized compensation cost   838us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= davey_EmployeeSsarsMember
   
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Nonvested   7,959us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAggregateIntrinsicValueNonvested
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= davey_EmployeeSsarsMember
   
Nonemployee Director SSARs [Member]        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]        
Unvested, ending balance   16,977us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= davey_NonemployeeDirectorSsarsMember
   
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]        
Unvested, weighted average award date value, ending balance   $ 2.29us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= davey_NonemployeeDirectorSsarsMember
   
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)   1 year 9 months 18 days    
Unrecognized compensation cost   27us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= davey_NonemployeeDirectorSsarsMember
   
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Nonvested   472us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAggregateIntrinsicValueNonvested
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= davey_NonemployeeDirectorSsarsMember
   
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]        
Salaries, Wages and Officers' Compensation [Abstract]        
Compensation expense, all share-based payment plans   615us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
445us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
644us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]        
Unvested, beginning balance 95,558us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
95,558us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
   
Granted   39,476us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
   
Forfeited   0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
   
Vested   (17,325)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
   
Unvested, ending balance   117,709us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
95,558us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
 
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]        
Unvested, weighted average award date value, beginning balance $ 19.03us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
$ 19.03us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
   
Granted, weighted average award date value   $ 24.64us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
   
Forfeited, weighted average award date value   $ 0.00us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
   
Vested, weighted average award date value   $ 17.48us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
   
Unvested, weighted average award date value, ending balance   $ 21.14us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
$ 19.03us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
 
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)   2 years 7 months 28 days    
Unrecognized compensation cost   1,456us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
   
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Nonvested   3,272us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAggregateIntrinsicValueNonvested
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
   
Employee PRSUs [Member]        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]        
Unvested, ending balance   103,139us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= davey_EmployeePRSUsMember
   
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]        
Unvested, weighted average award date value, ending balance   $ 20.78us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= davey_EmployeePRSUsMember
   
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)   2 years 10 months 24 days    
Unrecognized compensation cost   1,236us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= davey_EmployeePRSUsMember
   
Aggregate intrinsic value   2,867davey_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedAggregateIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= davey_EmployeePRSUsMember
   
Nonemployee Director PRSUs [Member]        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]        
Unvested, ending balance   14,570us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= davey_NonemployeeDirectorPRSUsMember
   
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]        
Unvested, weighted average award date value, ending balance   $ 23.61us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= davey_NonemployeeDirectorPRSUsMember
   
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)   1 year 9 months 18 days    
Unrecognized compensation cost   220us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= davey_NonemployeeDirectorPRSUsMember
   
Aggregate intrinsic value   $ 405davey_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedAggregateIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= davey_NonemployeeDirectorPRSUsMember
   
Director Stock Option [Member] | $ 16.40 [Member]        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]        
Lower range limit   $ 16.4us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= davey_DirectorStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= davey_ExercisePriceRangeRange5Member
   
Upper range limit   $ 16.4us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= davey_DirectorStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= davey_ExercisePriceRangeRange5Member