Document and Entity Information Document - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2020	May 01, 2020
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity registrant name	THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY
Entity central index key	0000277638
Current fiscal year end date	--12-31
Entity filer category	Accelerated Filer
Document type	10-Q
Document fiscal year focus	2020
Document fiscal period focus	Q1
Amendment flag	false
Entity common stock, shares outstanding		22,817,499
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Entity current reporting status	Yes
Entity shell company	false
Entity small business	false