Document and Entity Information Document - shares	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 30, 2015
Entity Information [Line Items]
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. 03, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		12,852,615