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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 BOeUX/cKwo7xOxsvBKIXFlNz1sQcR/s/8fw3A/59EVfhg+htSE000ezJRgge6vYR
 nMBIne+L0bwCPw4Ki756NQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001140361-09-001805.txt : 20090123
<SEC-HEADER>0001140361-09-001805.hdr.sgml : 20090123
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090123160438
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001140361-09-001805
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20081230
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090123
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090123

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PAUL JOSEPH R
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001362786

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-11917
		FILM NUMBER:		09542428

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		330-673-9511

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1500 NORTH MANTUA STREET
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 5193
		CITY:			KENT
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44240-5193

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DAVEY TREE EXPERT CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000277638
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	AGRICULTURE SERVICES [0700]
		IRS NUMBER:				340176110
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			OH
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1500 N MANTUA ST
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 5193
		CITY:			KENT
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44240-5193
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3306739511

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1500 NORTH MANTUA STREET
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 5193
		CITY:			KENT
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44240-5193
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc1.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-12-30</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000277638</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>DAVEY TREE EXPERT CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NONE</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001362786</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>PAUL JOSEPH R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1500 NORTH MANTUA STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>KENT</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>44240</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Treasurer</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-12-30</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>305</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>13.94</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1935</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">All shares reflect a 2-for-1 stock split effective October 1, 2008.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/Joseph R. Paul/David E. Adante by Power of Attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-01-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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