Document and Entity Information Document - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Mar. 10, 2017	Jul. 02, 2016
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-K
Document period end date	Dec. 31, 2016
Document fiscal year focus	2016
Document fiscal period focus	FY
Amendment flag	false
Entity common stock, shares outstanding		12,465,379
Entity well-known seasoned issuer	No
Entity voluntary filers	No
Entity current reporting status	Yes
Entity public float			$ 358,707,925