Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Mar. 08, 2019
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
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, 2018
Document fiscal year focus	2018
Document fiscal period focus	FY
Amendment flag	false
Entity common stock, shares outstanding		22,922,773
Entity well-known seasoned issuer	No
Entity voluntary filers	No
Entity current reporting status	Yes
Entity public float	$ 417,618,382