10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 28, 2020

OR

☐  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ______________ to ______________

Commission file number 000-11917

THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Ohio	34-0176110
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

1500 North Mantua Street

P.O. Box 5193

Kent, OH 44240

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

(330) 673-9511

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
N/A	N/A	N/A

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes ☒  No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).  Yes ☒   No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large Accelerated Filer	☐	Accelerated Filer	☒	Emerging Growth Company	☐
Non-Accelerated Filer	☐	Smaller Reporting Company	☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes ☐ No ☒

There were 22,817,499 Common Shares, $1.00 par value, outstanding as of May 1, 2020. 

The Davey Tree Expert Company

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

March 28, 2020

INDEX

						Page
Part I.	Financial Information
Item 1.	Financial Statements (Unaudited)
		Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets				2
		Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations				3
		Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)				4
		Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity				5
		Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows				6
		Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
			A	—	Basis of Financial Statement Preparation	7
			B	—	Seasonality of Business	8
			C	—	Accounts Receivable, Net and Supplemental Balance-Sheet Information	8
			D	—	Business Combinations	10
			E	—	Identified Intangible Assets and Goodwill, Net	11
			F	—	Long-Term Debt and Commitments Related to Letters of Credit	12
			G	—	Leases	15
			H	—	Stock-Based Compensation	17
			I	—	Net Periodic Benefit Expense--Defined Benefit Pension Plans	20
			J	—	Income Taxes	21
			K	—	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	21
			L	—	Per Share Amounts and Common and Redeemable Shares Outstanding	23
			M	—	Operations by Business Segment	25
			N	—	Revenue Recognition	26
			O	—	Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments	27
			P	—	Commitments and Contingencies	29
			Q	—	The Davey 401KSOP and Employee Stock Ownership Plan	31
Item 2.	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations					32
		Results of Operations				33
		Liquidity and Capital Resources				36
			Cash Flow Summary			36
			Contractual Obligations Summary and Commercial Commitments			37
			Capital Resources			37
		Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates				38
		Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements				38
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk					40
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures					40
Part II.	Other Information					40
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings					40
Item 1A.	Risk Factors					41
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds					42
Item 6.	Exhibits					43
Exhibit Index						44
Signatures						45
"We," "us" "our," "Davey" and "Davey Tree," unless the context otherwise requires, means The Davey Tree Expert Company and its subsidiaries.

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THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share data dollar amounts)

	March 28, 2020			December 31, 2019
Assets
Current assets:
Cash	$	66,829		$	11,000
Accounts receivable, net	247,667			231,311
Operating supplies	12,493			12,127
Other current assets	19,523			26,987
Total current assets	346,512			281,425
Property and equipment, net	202,982			199,850
Right-of-use assets - operating leases	49,787			40,033
Other assets	20,994			22,335
Intangible assets, net	11,095			10,934
Goodwill	43,780			42,285
Total assets	$	675,150		$	596,862
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	46,052		$	41,191
Accrued expenses	38,231			52,431
Current portion of long-term debt and finance lease liabilities	22,107			24,650
Other current liabilities	54,295			47,400
Total current liabilities	160,685			165,672
Long-term debt	220,084			143,354
Lease liabilities - finance leases	1,104			1,795
Lease liabilities - operating leases	32,712			25,200
Self-insurance reserve	66,530			62,113
Other noncurrent liabilities	12,395			12,268
Total liabilities	493,510			410,402
Commitments and contingencies (Note P)
Redeemable common shares related to 401KSOP and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP); 5,236 and 5,147 shares at redemption value as of March 28, 2020 and December 31, 2019	126,715			124,555
Common shareholders' equity:
Common shares, $1.00 par value, per share; 48,000 shares authorized; 37,678 and 37,767 shares issued and outstanding before deducting treasury shares and which excludes 5,236 and 5,147 shares subject to redemption as of March 28, 2020 and December 31, 2019	37,678			37,767
Additional paid-in capital	97,247			96,366
Retained earnings	179,368			179,770
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(7,346		)	(5,403		)
	306,947			308,500
Less: Cost of common shares held in treasury; 19,848 shares at March 28, 2020 and 19,737 shares at December 31, 2019	252,022			246,595
Total common shareholders' equity	54,925			61,905
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	675,150		$	596,862
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share dollar amounts)

	Three Months Ended
	March 28, 2020			March 30, 2019
Revenues	$	288,280		$	247,889
Costs and expenses:
Operating	198,393			166,016
Selling	50,112			46,304
General and administrative	21,542			19,044
Depreciation and amortization	14,604			14,212
Gain on sale of assets, net	(305		)	(653		)
Total costs and expenses	284,346			244,923
Income from operations	3,934			2,966
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(1,946		)	(2,151		)
Interest income	101			83
Other, net	(1,899		)	(1,655		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	190			(757		)
Income taxes (benefit)	17			(264		)
Net income (loss)	$	173		$	(493	)
Net income (loss) per share:
Basic	$	.01		$	(.02	)
Diluted	$	.01		$	(.02	)
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
Basic	23,187			23,072
Diluted	24,171			23,072
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

	Three Months Ended
	March 28, 2020			March 30, 2019
Net income (loss)	$	173		$	(493	)
Components of other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(1,971		)	509
Amortization of defined benefit pension items:
Net actuarial loss	16			32
Prior service cost	12			12
Defined benefit pension plan adjustments	28			44
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(1,943		)	553
Comprehensive (loss) income	$	(1,770	)	$	60
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share data)

	Common Shares			Additional Paid-in Capital			Common Shares Subscribed, Unissued		Retained Earnings			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax			Common Shares Held in Treasury			Common Shares Subscription Receivable		Total Common Shareholders' Equity
Balances at January 1, 2020	$	37,767		$	96,366		$	—	$	179,770		$	(5,403	)	$	(246,595	)	$	—	$	61,905
Net income	—			—			—		173			—			—			—		173
Change in 401KSOP and ESOP related shares	(89		)	(2,071		)	—		—			—			—			—		(2,160		)
Shares sold to employees	—			2,566			—		—			—			2,438			—		5,004
Options exercised	—			15			—		—			—			196			—		211
Stock-based compensation	—			371			—		—			—			—			—		371
Dividends, $.025 per share	—			—			—		(575		)	—			—			—		(575		)
Currency translation adjustments	—			—			—		—			(1,971		)	—			—		(1,971		)
Defined benefit pension plans	—			—			—		—			28			—			—		28
Shares purchased	—			—			—		—			—			(8,061		)	—		(8,061		)
Balances at March 28, 2020	$	37,678		$	97,247		$	—	$	179,368		$	(7,346	)	$	(252,022	)	$	—	$	54,925

	Common Shares			Additional Paid-in Capital			Common Shares Subscribed, Unissued			Retained Earnings			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax			Common Shares Held in Treasury			Common Shares Subscription Receivable			Total Common Shareholders' Equity
Balances at January 1, 2019	$	37,272		$	82,623		$	6,799		$	157,472		$	(5,034	)	$	(235,042	)	$	(729	)	$	43,361
Net loss	—			—			—			(493		)	—			—			—			(493		)
Change in 401KSOP and ESOP related shares	(195		)	(3,907		)	—			—			—			—			—			(4,102		)
Shares sold to employees	—			1,953			—			—			—			2,456			—			4,409
Options exercised	—			(14		)	—			—			—			81			—			67
Subscription shares	—			(75		)	(391		)	—			—			465			158			157
Stock-based compensation	—			621			—			—			—			—			—			621
Dividends, $.025 per share	—			—			—			(590		)	—			—			—			(590		)
Currency translation adjustments	—			—			—			—			509			—			—			509
Defined benefit pension plans	—			—			—			—			44			—			—			44
Shares purchased	—			—			—			—			—			(4,430		)	—			(4,430		)
Balances at March 30, 2019	$	37,077		$	81,201		$	6,408		$	156,389		$	(4,481	)	$	(236,470	)	$	(571	)	$	39,553
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

	Three Months Ended
	March 28, 2020			March 30, 2019
Operating activities
Net income (loss)	$	173		$	(493	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	14,604			14,212
Other	810			152
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of assets acquired:
Accounts receivable	(17,161		)	1,934
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(7,532		)	(12,777		)
Self-insurance reserve	4,408			(1,265		)
Prepaid expenses	8,176			3,815
Other, net	(710		)	5,850
	2,595			11,921
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,768			11,428
Investing activities
Capital expenditures:
Equipment	(18,960		)	(22,660		)
Land and buildings	(747		)	(150		)
Purchases of businesses, net of cash acquired	(1,826		)	(2,916		)
Proceeds from sales of fixed assets	521			749
Net cash used in investing activities	(21,012		)	(24,977		)
Financing activities
Revolving credit facility borrowings	244,500			174,000
Revolving credit facility payments	(163,500		)	(178,000		)
Purchase of common shares for treasury	(8,061		)	(4,430		)
Sale of common shares from treasury	5,216			4,633
Dividends paid	(575		)	(590		)
Proceeds from notes payable	27,166			33,152
Payments of notes payable	(29,866		)	(10,482		)
Payments of finance leases	(707		)	(719		)
Net cash provided by financing activities	74,173			17,564
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(100		)	(12		)
Increase in cash	55,829			4,003
Cash, beginning of period	11,000			22,661
Cash, end of period	$	66,829		$	26,664
Supplemental cash flow information follows:
Interest paid	$	2,707		$	2,938
Income taxes paid	1,910			137
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

March 28, 2020

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

A. Basis of Financial Statement Preparation

The condensed consolidated financial statements present the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of The Davey Tree Expert Company and its subsidiaries. When we refer to “we,” “us,” “our,” “Davey,” or “Davey Tree”, we mean The Davey Tree Expert Company and its subsidiaries, unless otherwise expressly stated or the context indicates otherwise.

We have prepared the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”), as codified in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”), and with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim financial information. The condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Certain information and disclosures required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements have been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. We suggest that these condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 (the “2019 Annual Report”).

Use of Estimates in Financial Statement Preparation--The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts. Our condensed consolidated financial statements include amounts that are based on management’s best estimates and judgments. Estimates are used for, but not limited to, accounts receivable valuation, depreciable lives of fixed assets, self-insurance reserves, income taxes and revenue recognition. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

While the recent outbreak of the coronavirus ("COVID-19") did not have a material adverse effect on our reported results for our fiscal first quarter, the overall extent and duration of COVID-19 on businesses and economic activity generally remains unclear. The extent to which our operations may be impacted by COVID-19 will depend largely on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be accurately predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of the outbreak and actions by government authorities to contain the pandemic or treat its impact, among other things.

The Company’s fiscal quarters each contain thirteen operating weeks, with the exception of the fourth quarter of a 53-week fiscal year, which contains fourteen operating weeks. The Company’s fiscal quarter that ended March 28, 2020 is referred to as the first quarter of 2020, and the fiscal quarter ended March 30, 2019 is referred to as the first quarter of 2019.

Recent Accounting Guidance

Accounting Standards Adopted in 2020

Accounting Standards Update 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326)--In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326)." ASU 2016-13 replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in current GAAP for most financial instruments, including trade receivables, with an impairment model, known as the current expected credit loss model that is

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The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

March 28, 2020

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. The Company adopted the new standard effective January 1, 2020, and it did not have a material effect on the Company's results of operations.

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

Accounting Standards Update 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740)– Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes--In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (ASU 2019-12), which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in ASC 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. ASU 2019-12 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including applicable interim periods. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

B. Seasonality of Business

Due to the seasonality of our business, our operating results for the three months ended March 28, 2020 are not indicative of results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the year ending December 31, 2020. Our business seasonality traditionally results in higher revenues during the second and third quarters as compared with the first and fourth quarters of the year, while the methods of accounting for fixed costs, such as depreciation expense, amortization, rent and interest expense, are not significantly impacted by business seasonality.

C. Accounts Receivable, Net and Supplemental Balance-Sheet Information

Accounts receivable, net, consisted of the following:

Accounts receivable, net	March 28, 2020		December 31, 2019
Accounts receivable	$	168,503	$	176,849
Unbilled Receivables(1)	82,051		58,277
	250,554		235,126
Less allowances for doubtful accounts	2,887		3,815
Accounts receivable, net	$	247,667	$	231,311

⁽¹⁾  Unbilled Receivables consist of work-in-process in accordance with the terms of contracts, primarily with utility services customers.

The following items comprise the amounts included in the balance sheets:

Other current assets	March 28, 2020		December 31, 2019
Refundable income taxes	$	1,366	$	339
Prepaid expense	17,364		25,664
Other	793		984
Total	$	19,523	$	26,987

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The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

March 28, 2020

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

Property and equipment, net	March 28, 2020		December 31, 2019
Land and land improvements	$	19,106	$	19,270
Buildings and leasehold improvements	44,267		44,414
Equipment	613,398		604,211
	676,771		667,895
Less accumulated depreciation	473,789		468,045
Total	$	202,982	$	199,850

Other assets, noncurrent	March 28, 2020		December 31, 2019
Assets invested for self-insurance	$	14,166	$	15,426
Investment--cost-method affiliate	1,314		1,314
Other	5,514		5,595
Total	$	20,994	$	22,335

Accrued expenses	March 28, 2020		December 31, 2019
Employee compensation	$	12,317	$	26,381
Accrued compensated absences	10,197		10,744
Self-insured medical claims	2,451		1,824
Income tax payable	5,590		6,420
Customer advances, deposits	85		1,674
Taxes, other than income	4,514		1,775
Other	3,077		3,613
Total	$	38,231	$	52,431

Other current liabilities	March 28, 2020		December 31, 2019
Notes payable	$	6,520	$	1,853
Current portion of:
Lease liability-operating leases	16,920		14,665
Self-insurance reserve	30,855		30,882
Total	$	54,295	$	47,400

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The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

March 28, 2020

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

Other noncurrent liabilities	March 28, 2020		December 31, 2019
Pension and retirement plans	$	6,804	$	6,552
Deferred income taxes	484		567
Other	5,107		5,149
Total	$	12,395	$	12,268

D. Business Combinations

Our investments in businesses during the first three months of 2020 were $2,740, including liabilities assumed of $380 and debt issued, in the form of notes payable to the sellers, of $534, and have been included in our Residential and Commercial segment. Measurement-period adjustments are not complete. The measurement period for purchase price allocations ends as soon as information of the facts and circumstances becomes available, but does not exceed one year from the acquisition date. During the three months ended March 30, 2019, our investment in businesses was $4,056, including liabilities assumed of $245 and debt issued, in the form of notes payable to the sellers, of $895.

The following table summarizes the preliminary purchase price allocation of the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed:

	March 28, 2020			December 31, 2019
Detail of acquisitions:
Assets acquired:
Cash	$	—		$	3
Receivables	—			2,332
Operating supplies	23			84
Prepaid expense	—			27
Equipment	426			1,837
Deposits and other	—			96
Intangibles	935			4,067
Goodwill	1,356			4,174
Liabilities assumed	(380		)	(1,479		)
Debt issued for purchases of businesses	(534		)	(2,612		)
Cash paid	$	1,826		$	8,529

The results of operations of acquired businesses have been included in the condensed consolidated statements of operations beginning as of the effective dates of acquisition. The effect of these acquisitions on our consolidated revenues and results of operations for the period ended March 28, 2020 was not significant. Pro forma net sales and results of operations for the acquisitions, had they occurred at the beginning of the three months ended March 28, 2020, are not material and, accordingly, are not provided.

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The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

March 28, 2020

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

The acquired intangible assets consist of tradenames, non-competition agreements and customer relationships. The tradenames and customer relationships were assigned an average useful life of six years and the non-competition agreements were assigned an average useful life of five years.

E. Identified Intangible Assets and Goodwill, Net

The carrying amounts of the identified intangible assets and goodwill acquired in connection with our acquisitions were as follows:

	March 28, 2020				December 31, 2019
	Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Amortized intangible assets:
Customer lists/relationships	$	28,478	$	20,024	$	28,301	$	20,024
Employment-related	8,485		7,448		8,391		7,348
Tradenames	7,393		5,789		7,402		5,788
Amortized intangible assets	44,356		$	33,261	44,094		$	33,160
Less accumulated amortization	33,261				33,160
Identified intangible assets, net	$	11,095			$	10,934
Goodwill	$	43,780			$	42,285

The changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill, by segment, for the three months ended March 28, 2020 and March 30, 2019 follow:

	Balance at January 1, 2020		Acquisitions		Translation and Other Adjustments		Balance at March 28, 2020
Utility	$	4,911	$	—	$	—	$	4,911
Residential and Commercial	37,374		1,356		139		38,869
Total	$	42,285	$	1,356	$	139	$	43,780
	Balance at January 1, 2019		Acquisitions		Translation and Other Adjustments		Balance at March 30, 2019
Utility	$	4,911	$	—	$	—	$	4,911
Residential and Commercial	33,060		1,232		125		34,417
Total	$	37,971	$	1,232	$	125	$	39,328

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The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

March 28, 2020

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

Estimated future aggregate amortization expense of intangible assets--The estimated future aggregate amortization expense of intangible assets, as of March 28, 2020 is as follows:

	Estimated Future Amortization Expense
Remaining nine months of 2020	$	2,053
2021	2,325
2022	2,020
2023	1,888
2024	1,431
Thereafter	1,377
	$	11,095

F. Long-Term Debt and Commitments Related to Letters of Credit

Our long-term debt consisted of the following:

	March 28, 2020		December 31, 2019
Revolving credit facility:
Swing-line borrowings	$	20,000	$	10,000
LIBOR borrowings	123,000		52,000
	143,000		62,000
Senior unsecured notes:
5.09% Senior unsecured notes	6,000		6,000
3.99% Senior unsecured notes	50,000		50,000
4.00% Senior unsecured notes	25,000		25,000
	81,000		81,000
Term loans	17,232		24,076
	241,232		167,076
Less debt issuance costs	373		420
Less current portion	20,775		23,302
	$	220,084	$	143,354

Revolving Credit Facility --As of March 28, 2020, we had a $250,000 revolving credit facility with a group of banks, which expires in October 2022 and permits borrowings, as defined, up to $250,000, including a letter of credit sublimit of $100,000 and a swing-line commitment of $25,000. Under certain circumstances, the amount available under the revolving credit facility may be increased to $325,000. The revolving credit facility contains certain affirmative and negative covenants customary for this type of facility and includes financial covenant ratios with respect to a maximum leverage ratio (not to exceed 3.00 to 1.00 with exceptions in case of material acquisitions) and a minimum interest coverage ratio (not less than 3.00 to 1.00), in each case subject to certain further restrictions as described in the credit agreement. As of

- 12 -

The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

March 28, 2020

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

March 28, 2020, we had unused commitments under the facility approximating $104,123, with $145,877 committed, consisting of borrowings of $143,000 and issued letters of credit of $2,877.

Borrowings outstanding bear interest, at Davey Tree’s option, of either (a) a base rate or (b) LIBOR plus a margin adjustment ranging from .875% to 1.50%--with the margin adjustments in both instances based on the Company's leverage ratio at the time of borrowing. The base rate is the greater of (i) the agent bank’s prime rate, (ii) LIBOR plus 1.50%, or (iii) the federal funds rate plus .50%. A commitment fee ranging from .10% to .225% is also required based on the average daily unborrowed commitment.

5.09% Senior Unsecured Notes--During July 2010, we issued 5.09% Senior Unsecured Notes, Series A (the "5.09% Senior Notes"), in the aggregate principal amount of $30,000 pursuant to a Master Note Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) between the Company and the purchasers of the 5.09% Senior Notes. The 5.09% Senior Notes are due July 22, 2020.

The 5.09% Senior Notes are equal in right of payment with our revolving credit facility and all other senior unsecured obligations of the Company. Interest is payable semiannually and five equal, annual principal payments commenced on July 22, 2016 (the sixth anniversary of issuance).  The Purchase Agreement contains customary events of default and covenants related to limitations on indebtedness and transactions with affiliates and the maintenance of certain financial ratios.

3.99% Senior Unsecured Notes--On September 21, 2018, we issued 3.99% Senior Notes, Series A (the "3.99% Senior Notes"), in the aggregate principal amount of $50,000. The 3.99% Senior Notes are due September 21, 2028.

The 3.99% Senior Notes were issued pursuant to a Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement (the “Note Purchase and Shelf Agreement”) between the Company, PGIM, Inc. and the purchasers of the 3.99% Senior Notes. Subsequent series of promissory notes may be issued pursuant to the Note Purchase and Shelf Agreement (the "Shelf Notes") in an aggregate additional principal amount not to exceed $50,000 ($25,000 of which was issued on February 5, 2019).

The 3.99% Senior Notes are equal in right of payment with our revolving credit facility and all other senior unsecured obligations of the Company. Interest is payable semiannually and five equal, annual principal payments commence on September 21, 2024 (the sixth anniversary of issuance).  The Note Purchase and Shelf Agreement contains customary events of default and covenants related to limitations on indebtedness and transactions with affiliates and the maintenance of certain financial ratios. The Company may prepay at any time all, or from time to time any part of, the outstanding principal amount of the 3.99% Senior Notes, subject to the payment of a make-whole amount.

In conjunction with the issuance of the 3.99% Senior Notes, on September 21, 2018, the Company entered into an amendment to its revolving credit facility. The amendment amended certain provisions and covenants in the credit agreement to generally conform them to the corresponding provisions and covenants in the Note Purchase and Shelf Agreement. The amendment also permitted the Company to incur indebtedness arising under the Note Purchase and Shelf Agreement in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $75,000, which included the $50,000 of 3.99% Senior Notes, plus an additional $25,000 in Shelf Notes (which were issued on February 5, 2019).

4.00% Senior Unsecured Notes--On February 5, 2019, we issued 4.00% Senior Notes, Series B (the "4.00% Senior Notes") pursuant to the Note Purchase and Shelf Agreement in the aggregate principal amount of $25,000. The notes are due September 21, 2028. Subsequent series of Shelf Notes may be issued pursuant to the Note Purchase and Shelf Agreement in an aggregate additional principal amount not to exceed

- 13 -

The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

March 28, 2020

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

$25,000. A further amendment to the revolving credit facility would be required for such a transaction to be permissible under the revolving credit facility. The 4.00% Senior Notes are equal in right of payment with our revolving credit facility and all other senior unsecured obligations of the Company. Interest is payable semiannually and five equal, annual principal payments commence on September 21, 2024.

The net proceeds of all senior notes were used to pay down borrowings under our revolving credit facility.

Term loans--Periodically, the Company will enter into term loans for the procurement of insurance or to finance acquisitions.

Aggregate Maturities of Long-Term Debt--Aggregate maturities of long-term debt based on the principal amounts outstanding at March 28, 2020 were as follows: 2020--$15,932; 2021--$6,170; 2022--$143,939; $2023--$191; 2024--$15,000; and thereafter $60,000.

Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility--In May 2019, the Company amended its Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility (the "AR Securitization program") to extend the scheduled termination date for an additional one year period, to May 19, 2020.

The AR Securitization program has a limit of $100,000, of which $76,732 were issued for letters of credit ("LCs") as of both March 28, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

Under the AR Securitization program, Davey Tree transfers by selling or contributing current and future trade receivables to a wholly-owned, bankruptcy-remote financing subsidiary which pledges a perfected first priority security interest in the trade receivables--equal to the issued LCs as of March 28, 2020--to the bank in exchange for the bank issuing LCs.

Pre-petition receivables from PG&E Corporation and its regulated utility subsidiary, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (collectively, "PG&E"), which filed voluntary bankruptcy petitions under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California, while remaining in the securitized pool, are considered ineligible and are excluded from performance ratios and reserves.

Fees payable to the bank include: (a) an LC issuance fee, payable on each settlement date, in the amount of .90% per annum on the aggregate amount of all LCs outstanding plus outstanding reimbursement obligations (e.g., arising from drawn LCs), if any, and (b) an unused LC fee, payable monthly, equal to (i) .35% per annum for each day on which the sum of the total LCs outstanding plus any outstanding reimbursement obligations is greater than or equal to 50% of the facility limit and (ii) .45% per annum for each day on which the sum of the total LCs outstanding plus any outstanding reimbursement obligations is less than 50% of the facility limit. If an LC is drawn and the bank is not immediately reimbursed in full for the drawn amount, any outstanding reimbursement obligation will accrue interest at a per annum rate equal to a reserve-adjusted LIBOR or, in certain circumstances, a base rate equal to the higher of (i) the bank’s prime rate and (ii) the federal funds rate plus .50% and, following any default, 2.00% plus the greater of (a) adjusted LIBOR and (b) a base rate equal to the higher of (i) the bank’s prime rate and (ii) the federal funds rate plus .50%.

The agreements underlying the AR Securitization program contain various customary representations and warranties, covenants, and default provisions which provide for the termination and acceleration of the commitments under the AR Securitization program in circumstances including, but not limited to, failure to make payments when due, breach of a representation, warranty or covenant, certain insolvency events or failure to maintain the security interest in the trade receivables, and defaults under other material indebtedness.

- 14 -

The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

March 28, 2020

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

Total Commitments Related to Issued Letters of Credit--As of March 28, 2020, total commitments related to issued LCs were $81,618, of which $2,877 were issued under the revolving credit facility, $76,732 were issued under the AR Securitization program, and $2,009 were issued under short-term lines of credit. As of December 31, 2019, total commitments related to issued LCs were $81,619, of which $2,877 were issued under the revolving credit facility, $76,732 were issued under the AR Securitization program, and $2,010 were issued under short-term lines of credit.

As of March 28, 2020, we were in compliance with all debt covenants.

G. Leases

We lease certain office and parking facilities, warehouse space, equipment, vehicles and information technology equipment under operating leases. Lease expense for these leases is recognized within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations on a straight-line basis over the lease term, with variable lease payments recognized in the period those payments are incurred. The following table summarizes the amounts recognized in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet related to leases:

	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Classification	March 28, 2020		December 31, 2019
Assets
Operating lease assets	Right-of-use assets - operating leases	$	49,787	$	40,033
Finance lease assets	Property and equipment, net	2,832		3,183
Total lease assets		$	52,619	$	43,216
Liabilities
Current operating lease liabilities	Other current liabilities	$	16,920	$	14,665
Non-current operating lease liabilities	Lease liabilities - operating leases	32,712		25,200
Total operating lease liabilities		49,632		39,865
Current portion of finance lease liabilities	Current portion of long-term debt and finance lease liabilities	1,332		1,348
Non-current finance lease liabilities	Lease liabilities - finance leases	1,104		1,795
Total finance lease liabilities		2,436		3,143
Total lease liabilities		$	52,068	$	43,008

- 15 -

The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

March 28, 2020

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

The components of lease cost recognized within our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations were as follows:

		Three Months Ended
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations Classification	March 28, 2020		March 30, 2019
Operating lease cost	Operating expense	$	2,239	$	1,438
Operating lease cost	Selling expense	2,393		2,167
Operating lease cost	General and administrative expense	234		201
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets	Depreciation and amortization	351		345
Interest expense on lease liabilities	Interest expense	23		34
Other lease cost (1)	Operating expense	1,767		719
Other lease cost (1)	Selling expense	371		346
Other lease cost (1)	General and administrative expense	9		2
Total lease cost		$	7,387	$	5,252

⁽¹⁾ Other lease cost includes short-term lease costs and variable lease costs.

We often have options to renew lease terms for buildings and other assets. The exercise of lease renewal options is generally at our sole discretion. In addition, certain lease agreements may be terminated prior to their original expiration date at our discretion. We evaluate each renewal and termination option at the lease commencement date to determine if we are reasonably certain to exercise the option on the basis of economic factors. The table below summarizes the weighted average remaining lease term as of March 28, 2020.

Operating leases	4.2 years
Finance leases	2.7 years

The discount rate implicit within our leases is generally not determinable and therefore the Company determines the discount rate based on its incremental borrowing rate. The incremental borrowing rate for each lease is determined based on its term and the currency in which lease payments are made, adjusted for the impacts of collateral. The table below summarizes the weighted average discount rate used to measure our lease liabilities as of March 28, 2020.

Operating leases	3.45	%
Finance leases	3.05	%

- 16 -

The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

March 28, 2020

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

Supplemental Cash Flow Information Related to Leases

	Three Months Ended
	March 28, 2020			March 30, 2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	(4,902	)	$	(3,750	)
Operating cash flows from finance leases	(23		)	(34		)
Financing cash flows from finance leases	(707		)	(690		)
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Operating leases	14,845			40,311

Maturity Analysis of Lease Liabilities

	As of March 28, 2020
	Operating Leases		Finance Leases
Remaining nine months of 2020	$	13,577	$	700
2021	14,394		1,246
2022	10,785		320
2023	5,730		120
2024	3,450		49
Thereafter	5,545		91
Total lease payments	53,481		2,526
Less interest	3,849		90
Total	$	49,632	$	2,436

H. Stock-Based Compensation

Our shareholders approved the 2014 Omnibus Stock Plan (the “2014 Stock Plan”) at our annual meeting of shareholders on May 20, 2014. The 2014 Stock Plan replaced the expired 2004 Omnibus Stock Plan (the “2004 plan”) previously approved by the shareholders in 2004. The 2014 Stock Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors and has a term of ten years. All directors of the Company and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries are eligible to participate in the 2014 Stock Plan. The 2014 Stock Plan (similar to the 2004 plan) continues the maintenance of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as well as provisions for the grant of stock options and other stock-based incentives. The 2014 Stock Plan provides for the grant of five percent of the number of the Company’s common shares outstanding as of the first day of each fiscal year plus the number of common shares that were available for grant of awards, but not granted, in prior years. In no event, however, may the number of common shares available for the grant of awards in any fiscal year exceed ten percent of the common shares outstanding as of the first day of that fiscal year. Common shares subject to an award that is forfeited, terminated, or canceled without having been exercised are generally added back to the number of shares available for grant under the 2014 Stock Plan.

- 17 -

The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

March 28, 2020

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

Stock-based compensation expense under all share-based payment plans -- our Employee Stock Purchase Plan, stock option plans, stock-settled stock appreciation rights ("SSARs") and restricted stock units ("RSUs") -- was included in the results of operations as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 28, 2020		March 30, 2019
Compensation expense, all share-based payment plans	$	745	$	753

Stock-based compensation consisted of the following:

Employee Stock Purchase Plan--Under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, all full-time employees with one year of service are eligible to purchase, through payroll deduction, common shares. Employee purchases under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan are at 85% of the fair market value of the common shares--a 15% discount. We recognize compensation costs as payroll deductions are made. The 15% discount of total shares purchased under the plan resulted in compensation cost of $342 being recognized for the three months ended March 28, 2020 and $276 for the three months ended March 30, 2019.

Stock Option Plans--The stock options outstanding were awarded under a graded vesting schedule, measured at fair value, and have a term of ten years. Compensation costs for stock options are recognized over the requisite service period on the straight-line recognition method. Compensation cost recognized for stock options was $126 for the three months ended March 28, 2020 and $149 for the three months ended March 30, 2019.

Stock-Settled Stock Appreciation Rights-- A SSAR is an award that allows the recipient to receive common shares equal to the appreciation in the fair market value of our common shares between the date the award was granted and the conversion date of the shares vested. Effective January 1, 2019, management and the Compensation Committee replaced the issuance of future SSARs with performance-based restricted stock units ("PRSUs") for certain management employees.

The following table summarizes our SSARs as of March 28, 2020.

Stock-Settled Stock Appreciation Rights	Number of Rights		Weighted- Average Award Date Value		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life	Unrecognized Compensation Cost		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Unvested, January 1, 2020	262,705		$	3.47
Granted	—		—
Forfeited	(2,254	)	3.53
Vested	(113,757	)	3.31
Unvested, March 28, 2020	146,694		$	3.59	1.6 years	$	462	$	3,550

Compensation costs for SSARs are determined using a fair-value method and amortized over the requisite service period. Compensation expense for SSARs was $61 for the three months ended March 28, 2020 and $95 for the three months ended March 30, 2019.

- 18 -

The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

March 28, 2020

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

Restricted Stock Units--During the three months ended March 28, 2020, the Compensation Committee awarded 86,959 PRSUs to certain management employees. The Compensation Committee made similar awards in prior periods. The awards vest over specified periods. The following table summarizes PRSUs and RSUs as of March 28, 2020.

Restricted Stock Units	Number of Stock Units		Weighted- Average Grant Date Value		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life	Unrecognized Compensation Cost		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Unvested, January 1, 2020	224,259		$	17.11
Granted	86,959		23.72
Forfeited	(1,871	)	17.37
Vested	(49,518	)	14.54
Unvested, March 28, 2020	259,829		$	19.81	3.0 years	$	3,444	$	6,288
Employee PRSUs	228,407		$	19.92	3.5 years	$	3,176	$	5,528
Nonemployee Director RSUs	31,422		$	19.01	1.1 years	$	268	$	760

Compensation cost for PRSUs and RSUs is determined using a fair-value method and amortized on the straight-line recognition method over the requisite service period. “Intrinsic value” is defined as the amount by which the fair market value of a common share exceeds the exercise price of a PRSU or an RSU. Compensation expense on PRSUs and RSUs totaled $216 for the three months ended March 28, 2020 and $233 for the three months ended March 30, 2019.

We estimated the fair value of each stock-based award on the date of grant using a binomial option-pricing model. The binomial model considers a range of assumptions related to volatility, risk-free interest rate and employee exercise behavior. Expected volatilities utilized in the binomial model are based on historical volatility of our stock prices and other factors. Similarly, the dividend yield is based on historical experience and expected future changes. The binomial model also incorporates exercise and forfeiture assumptions based on an analysis of historical data. The expected life of the stock-based awards is derived from the output of the binomial model and represents the period of time that awards granted are expected to be outstanding.

The fair values of stock-based awards granted were estimated at the dates of grant with the following weighted-average assumptions.

	Three Months Ended
	March 28, 2020		March 30, 2019
Volatility rate	9.7	%	9.9	%
Risk-free interest rate	.6	%	2.5	%
Expected dividend yield	.4	%	.7	%
Expected life of awards (years)	6.2		7.4

- 19 -

The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

March 28, 2020

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

General Stock Option Information--The following table summarizes activity under the stock option plans for the three months ended March 28, 2020.

Stock Options	Number of Options Outstanding		Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding, January 1, 2020	1,428,082		$	15.13
Granted	28,397		24.20
Exercised	—		—
Forfeited	(7,335	)	15.34
Outstanding, March 28, 2020	1,449,144		$	15.30	5.5 years	$	12,897
Exercisable, March 28, 2020	936,457		$	13.43	4.3 years	$	10,082

As of March 28, 2020, there was approximately $1,286 of unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options outstanding. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.3 years. “Intrinsic value” is defined as the amount by which the market price of a common share exceeds the exercise price of an option. 

Common shares are issued from treasury upon the exercise of stock options, SSARs, RSUs, PRSUs or purchases under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

I. Net Periodic Benefit Expense--Defined Benefit Pension Plans

The results of operations included the following net periodic benefit expense (income) recognized related to our defined-benefit pension plans.

	Three Months Ended
	March 28, 2020		March 30, 2019
Components of pension expense (income)
Service costs--increase in benefit obligation earned	$	—	$	45
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	26		75
Expected return on plan assets	—		(23		)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	22		44
Amortization of prior service cost	16		16
Net pension expense of defined benefit pension plans	$	64	$	157

During April 2019, we entered into an agreement to purchase a guaranteed group annuity contract from a third-party insurance company which unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees the full-payment of all annuity payments to the remaining 231 participants in our Employee Retirement Plan (“ERP”) for which benefits were frozen effective December 31, 2008. The April 2019 agreement transferred all remaining ERP benefit obligations to the third-party insurance company, resulting in a pretax actuarial settlement loss of $1,677.

- 20 -

The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

March 28, 2020

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

The components of net periodic benefit expense, other than the service cost component, are included in the line item other income (expense) in the statement of operations.

J. Income Taxes

Our income tax provision for interim periods is determined using an estimate of our annual effective tax rate adjusted for discrete items, if any, that are taken into account in the relevant period. Each quarter we update our estimate of the annual effective tax rate and, if our estimated annual tax rate changes, we make a cumulative adjustment. The estimated annual effective tax rate for the three months ended March 28, 2020 was 28.5%. Our annual effective tax rate for the three months ended March 30, 2019 was estimated at 28.3%. Our effective tax rate was 8.9% and 34.8% for the three months ended March 28, 2020 and March 30, 2019, respectively. The change in the effective tax rate from statutory tax rates is primarily due to the impact of state and local taxes which are partially offset by favorable discrete items.

On March 27, 2020, Congress approved and the President signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security ("CARES") Act into law. CARES Act is a tax-and-spending package intended to provide economic relief to address the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Company is currently evaluating several significant business tax provisions, such as net operating losses and employee retention credits to determine the impact on the Company.

As of March 28, 2020, we had unrecognized tax benefits of $1,869, of which $674 would affect our effective rate if recognized, and accrued interest expense related to unrecognized benefits of $67. At December 31, 2019, we had unrecognized tax benefits of $1,850, of which $654 would affect our effective rate if recognized, and accrued interest expense related to unrecognized benefits of $64. Unrecognized tax benefits are the differences between a tax position taken, or expected to be taken in a tax return, and the benefit recognized for financial reporting purposes.

We recognize interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. Penalties, if incurred, would be recognized as a component of income tax expense.

The Company is routinely under audit by U.S. federal, state, local and Canadian authorities in the area of income tax. These audits include questioning the timing and the amount of income and deductions and the allocation of income and deductions among various tax jurisdictions. With the exception of U.S. state jurisdictions and Canada, the Company is no longer subject to examination by tax authorities for the years through 2016. As of March 28, 2020, we believe it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will not significantly increase or decrease.

K. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (or loss) is comprised of net income (or net loss) and other components, including foreign currency translation adjustments and defined benefit pension plan adjustments.

- 21 -

The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

March 28, 2020

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

The following summarizes the components of other comprehensive income (loss) accumulated in shareholders’ equity for the three months ended March 28, 2020 and the three months ended March 30, 2019:

Three Months Ended March 28, 2020	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Defined Benefit Pension Plans			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance at January 1, 2020	$	(4,633	)	$	(770	)	$	(5,403	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
Unrealized gains (losses)	(1,971		)	—			(1,971		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	—			38			38
Tax effect	—			(10		)	(10		)
Net of tax amount	(1,971		)	28			(1,943		)
Balance at March 28, 2020	$	(6,604	)	$	(742	)	$	(7,346	)

Three Months Ended March 30, 2019	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Defined Benefit Pension Plans			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance at January 1, 2019	$	(5,819	)	$	785		$	(5,034	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
Unrealized gains (losses)	509			—			509
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	—			60			60
Tax effect	—			(16		)	(16		)
Net of tax amount	509			44			553
Balance at March 30, 2019	$	(5,310	)	$	829		$	(4,481	)

The change in defined benefit pension plans of $38 for the three months ended March 28, 2020 and $60 for the three months ended March 30, 2019 is included in net periodic pension expense classified in the condensed consolidated statement of operations as general and administrative expense or other income (expense).

- 22 -

The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

March 28, 2020

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

L. Per Share Amounts and Common and Redeemable Shares Outstanding

We calculate our basic earnings per share by dividing net income or net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share are calculated in a similar manner, but include the effect of dilutive securities. To the extent these securities are antidilutive, they are excluded from the calculation of earnings per share. The per share amounts were computed as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 28, 2020		March 30, 2019
Income available to common shareholders:
Net income (loss)	$	173	$	(493	)
Weighted-average shares:
Basic:
Outstanding	23,187		22,910
Partially-paid share subscriptions	—		162
Basic weighted-average shares	23,187		23,072
Diluted:
Basic from above	23,187		23,072
Incremental shares from assumed:
Exercise of stock subscription purchase rights	—		119
Exercise of stock options and awards	984		827
Diluted weighted-average shares	24,171		24,018
Net income (loss) per share:
Basic	$	.01	$	(.02	)
Diluted	$	.01	$	(.02	)

The potentially dilutive shares were excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share for the three months ended March 30, 2019 because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

- 23 -

The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

March 28, 2020

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

Common and Redeemable Shares Outstanding--A summary of the activity of the common and redeemable shares outstanding for the three months ended March 28, 2020 follows:

	Common Shares Net of Treasury Shares		Redeemable Shares		Total
Shares outstanding at January 1, 2020	18,029,921		5,146,882		23,176,803
Shares purchased	(215,384	)	(117,918	)	(333,302	)
Shares sold	110		207,194		207,304
Options and awards exercised	15,669		—		15,669
Shares outstanding at March 28, 2020	17,830,316		5,236,158		23,066,474

On March 28, 2020, we had 23,066,474 common and redeemable shares outstanding and employee options exercisable to purchase 936,457 common shares.

Stock Subscription Offering--Beginning May 2012, the Company offered to eligible employees and nonemployee directors the right to subscribe to common shares of the Company at $9.85 per share in accordance with the provisions of The Davey Tree Expert Company 2004 Omnibus Stock Plan and the rules of the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors (collectively, the "plan"). The offering period ended on August 1, 2012 and resulted in the subscription of 1,275,428 common shares for $12,563 at $9.85 per share.

Under the plan, a participant in the offering purchasing common shares for an aggregate purchase price of less than $5 was required to pay with cash. All participants (excluding Company directors and officers) purchasing $5 or more of the common shares had an option to finance their purchase through a down-payment of at least 10% of the total purchase price and a seven-year promissory note for the balance due with interest at 2%. Payments on the promissory note were made either by payroll deductions or annual lump-sum payments of both principal and interest.

Common shares purchased under the plan were pledged as security for the payment of the promissory note and the common shares were not issued until the promissory note was paid-in-full. Dividends were paid on all subscribed shares, subject to forfeiture to the extent that payment was not ultimately made for the shares.

All participants in the offering purchasing in excess of $5 of common shares were granted a "right" to purchase one additional common share at a price of $9.85 per share for every three common shares purchased under the plan. As a result of the stock subscription, employees were granted rights to purchase 423,600 common shares. Each right could have been exercised at the rate of one-seventh per year and expired seven years after the date that the right was granted. Employees could not exercise a right if they ceased to be employed by the Company. All rights expired in August 2019.

- 24 -

The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

March 28, 2020

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

M. Operations by Business Segment

We provide a wide range of arboricultural, horticultural, environmental and consulting services to residential, utility, commercial and government entities throughout the United States and Canada. We have two reportable operating segments organized by type or class of customer: Residential and Commercial, and Utility.

Residential and Commercial--Residential and Commercial provides services to our residential and commercial customers including: the treatment, preservation, maintenance, removal and planting of trees, shrubs and other plant life; the practice of landscaping, grounds maintenance, tree surgery, tree feeding and tree spraying; the application of fertilizer, herbicides and insecticides; and natural resource management and consulting, forestry research and development, and environmental planning.

Utility--Utility is principally engaged in providing services to our utility customers--investor-owned, municipal utilities, and rural electric cooperatives--including: the practice of line-clearing and vegetation management around power lines and rights-of-way and chemical brush control; and natural resource management and consulting, forestry research and development, and environmental planning.

All other operating activities, including research, technical support and laboratory diagnostic facilities, are included in “All Other.”

Measurement of Segment Profit and Loss and Segment Assets--We evaluate performance and allocate resources based primarily on operating income and also actively manage business unit operating assets. Segment information, including reconciling adjustments, is presented consistent with the basis described in our 2019 Annual Report.    

Segment information reconciled to the condensed consolidated financial statements follows:

	Utility		Residential and Commercial			All Other			Reconciling Adjustments				Consolidated
Three Months Ended March 28, 2020
Revenues	$	185,749	$	101,953		$	578		$	—			$	288,280
Income (loss) from operations	15,632		(5,661		)	(4,695		)	(1,342		)	(a)	3,934
Interest expense									(1,946		)		(1,946		)
Interest income									101				101
Other income (expense), net									(1,899		)		(1,899		)
Income before income taxes													$	190
Segment assets, total	$	291,426	$	221,956		$	—		$	161,768		(b)	$	675,150
Three Months Ended March 30, 2019
Revenues	$	140,469	$	107,395		$	25		$	—			$	247,889
Income (loss) from operations	5,880		507			(2,968		)	(453		)	(a)	2,966
Interest expense									(2,151		)		(2,151		)
Interest income									83				83
Other income (expense), net									(1,655		)		(1,655		)
Loss before income tax benefit													$	(757	)
Segment assets, total	$	231,060	$	217,044		$	—		$	117,374		(b)	$	565,478

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The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

March 28, 2020

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

Reconciling adjustments from segment reporting to the condensed consolidated financial statements include unallocated corporate items:

(a) Reclassification of depreciation expense and allocation of corporate expenses.

(b) Corporate assets include cash, prepaid expenses, corporate facilities, enterprise-wide information systems and other nonoperating assets. 

N. Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue in accordance with ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.

Nature of Performance Obligations and Significant Judgments

At contract inception, the Company assesses the goods and services promised in its contracts with customers and identifies a performance obligation for each promised good or service (or bundle of goods and services) that is distinct. To identify the performance obligations, the Company considers each of the goods or services promised in the contract regardless of whether they are explicitly stated or are implied by customary business practices.

Our contracts with our customers generally originate upon the completion of a quote for services for residential and commercial customers or the receipt of a purchase order (or similar work order) for utility customers. In some cases, our contracts are governed by master services agreements, in which case our contract under ASC 606 consists of the combination of the master services agreement and the quote/purchase order. Many of our contracts have a stated duration of one year or less or contain termination clauses that allow the customer to cancel the contract after a specified notice period, which is typically less than 90 days. Due to the fact that many of our arrangements allow the customer to terminate for convenience, the duration of the contract for revenue recognition purposes generally does not extend beyond the services that we have actually transferred. As a result, many of our contracts are, in effect, day-to-day or month-to-month contracts.

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following tables disaggregate our revenue for the three months ended March 28, 2020 and March 30, 2019 by major sources:

Three Months Ended March 28, 2020	Utility		Residential and Commercial		All Other			Consolidated
Type of service:
Tree and plant care	$	141,743	$	60,257	$	(25	)	$	201,975
Grounds maintenance	—		23,066		—			23,066
Storm damage services	523		637		—			1,160
Consulting and other	43,483		17,993		603			62,079
Total revenues	$	185,749	$	101,953	$	578		$	288,280
Geography:
United States	$	177,087	$	95,052	$	578		$	272,717
Canada	8,662		6,901		—			15,563
Total revenues	$	185,749	$	101,953	$	578		$	288,280

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The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

March 28, 2020

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

Three Months Ended March 30, 2019	Utility		Residential and Commercial		All Other			Consolidated
Type of service:
Tree and plant care	$	103,386	$	60,427	$	(11	)	$	163,802
Grounds maintenance	—		27,942		—			27,942
Storm damage services	1,072		1,625		—			2,697
Consulting and other	36,011		17,401		36			53,448
Total revenues	$	140,469	$	107,395	$	25		$	247,889
Geography:
United States	$	129,882	$	100,999	$	25		$	230,906
Canada	10,587		6,396		—			16,983
Total revenues	$	140,469	$	107,395	$	25		$	247,889

Contract Balances

Our contract liabilities consist of advance payments and billings in excess of costs incurred and deferred revenue. The Company has recognized $942 of revenue for the three months ended March 28, 2020 that was included in the contract liability balance at December 31, 2019 and $1,080 of revenue for the three months ended March 30, 2019 that was included in the contract liability balance at December 31, 2018. Net contract liabilities consisted of the following:

	March 28, 2020		December 31, 2019
Contract liabilities - current	$	4,320	$	3,129
Contract liabilities - noncurrent	2,787		2,705
Net contract liabilities	$	7,107	$	5,834

O. Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments

FASB ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures" (“Topic 820”) defines fair value based on the price that would be received to sell an asset or the exit price that would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Market participants are defined as buyers or sellers in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability that are independent of the reporting entity, knowledgeable and able and willing to transact for the asset or liability.

Valuation Hierarchy--Topic 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes observable and unobservable inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three broad levels:

Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity has the ability to access.

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The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

March 28, 2020

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

Level 2 inputs are observable inputs other than prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated with observable market data.

Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets and liabilities. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.

Our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 28, 2020 were as follows:

			Fair Value Measurements at March 28, 2020 Using:
Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis	Total Carrying Value at March 28, 2020		Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Assets invested for self-insurance, classified as other assets, noncurrent	$	14,152	$	14,152	$	—	$	—
Defined benefit pension plan assets	—		—		—		—
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation	$	3,013	$	—	$	3,013	$	—

Our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2019 were as follows:

			Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2019 Using:
Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis	Total Carrying Value at December 31, 2019		Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Assets invested for self-insurance, classified as other assets, noncurrent	$	15,379	$	15,379	$	—	$	—
Defined benefit pension plan assets	3,758		—		3,758		—
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation	$	2,459	$	—	$	2,459	$	—

The assets invested for self-insurance are certificates of deposit--classified as Level 1--based on quoted market prices of the identical underlying securities in active markets. The estimated fair value of the deferred compensation--classified as Level 2--is based on the value of the Company's common shares, determined by independent valuation.

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The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

March 28, 2020

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

Fair Value of Financial Instruments--The fair values of our current financial assets and current liabilities, including cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued expenses, among others, approximate their reported carrying values because of their short-term nature. Financial instruments classified as noncurrent liabilities and their carrying values and fair values were as follows:

	March 28, 2020				December 31, 2019
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
Revolving credit facility, noncurrent	$	143,000	$	143,000	$	62,000	$	62,000
Senior unsecured notes, noncurrent	75,000		84,935		75,000		79,558
Term loans, noncurrent	2,457		2,820		6,774		7,124
Total	$	220,457	$	230,755	$	143,774	$	148,682

The carrying value of our revolving credit facility approximates fair value--classified as Level 2--as the interest rates on the amounts outstanding are variable. The fair value of our senior unsecured notes and term loans--classified as Level 2--is determined based on expected future weighted-average interest rates with the same remaining maturities.

Market Risk--In the normal course of business, we are exposed to market risk related to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, changes in interest rates and changes in fuel prices. We do not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. In prior years, we have used derivative financial instruments to manage risk, in part, associated with changes in interest rates and changes in fuel prices. Presently, we are not engaged in any hedging or derivative activities.

P. Commitments and Contingencies

We are party to a number of lawsuits, threatened lawsuits and other claims arising out of the normal course of business. On a quarterly basis, we assess our liabilities and contingencies in connection with outstanding legal proceedings utilizing the latest information available. Where it is probable that we will incur a loss and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, we record a liability in our consolidated financial statements. These legal accruals may be increased or decreased to reflect any relevant developments on a quarterly basis. Where a loss is not probable or the amount of the loss is not estimable, we do not record a legal accrual, consistent with applicable accounting guidance. Based on information currently available to us, advice of counsel, and available insurance coverage, we believe that our established accruals are adequate and the liabilities arising from the legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition. We note, however, that in light of the inherent uncertainty in legal proceedings there can be no assurance that the ultimate resolution of a matter will not exceed established accruals. As a result, the outcome of a particular matter or a combination of matters may be material to our results of operations for a particular period, depending upon the size of the loss or our income for that particular period.

In November 2017, a suit was filed in Savannah, Georgia state court (“State Court”) against Davey Tree, its subsidiary, Wolf Tree, Inc. ("Wolf Tree"), a former Davey employee, two Wolf Tree employees, and a former Wolf Tree employee alleging various acts of negligence and seeking compensatory and punitive damages for wrongful death and assault and battery of the plaintiff’s husband, a Wolf Tree employee, who was shot and killed in August 2017.

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The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

March 28, 2020

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

In July 2018, a related survival action was filed by the deceased’s estate against Davey Tree, its subsidiary, Wolf Tree, and four current and former employees in Savannah, Georgia, which arises out of the same allegations, seeks compensatory and punitive damages and also includes three Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act ("RICO") claims under Georgia law seeking compensatory damages, treble damages, and punitive damages. The 2018 case was removed to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia, Savannah Division (“Federal Court”), on August 2, 2018. The Company filed a motion to dismiss the RICO claims. Plaintiffs filed a motion to remand the case to state court, which the Company has opposed.

The cases were mediated unsuccessfully in December 2018 and the State Court case was originally set for trial on January 22, 2019. However, as discussed below, all of the civil cases were later stayed on December 28, 2018 and currently remain stayed.

On December 6, 2018, a former Wolf Tree employee pled guilty to conspiracy to conceal, harbor, and shield illegal aliens. On December 21, 2018, the United States federal prosecutors filed a motion to stay both actions on the grounds that on December 13, 2018, an indictment was issued charging two former Wolf Tree employees and one other individual with various crimes, including conspiracy to murder the deceased. On December 17, 2018, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia informed the Company and Wolf Tree that they are also under investigation for potential violations of immigration and other laws relating to the subject matter of the ongoing criminal investigation referenced above. The Company and Wolf Tree are cooperating with the investigation.

On December 28, 2018, the State Court granted the United States’ motion to stay but indicated that it would nonetheless consider certain pending matters, including: (1) Plaintiff and a co-defendant’s motions that Davey Tree be forced to produce privileged documents and testimony, which had been submitted to a Special Master for recommendation; and (2) the Defendants’ motions for summary judgment. On January 11, 2019, the Special Master issued his recommendation that both Plaintiff and the co-defendant’s motions to force Davey to disclose privileged information be denied. The State Court judge has not yet moved on the recommendation. On January 29, 2019, the State Court heard oral argument on Defendants’ motions for summary judgment, and the motions remain pending during the stay of the cases.

On January 28, 2019, the Federal Court also granted the United States’ motion to stay. On January 29, 2019, the State Court ordered the parties to return to mediation, which occurred on April 17, 2019 but was unsuccessful in resolving the matters.

In both cases, the Company has denied all liability and is vigorously defending the action. It also has retained separate counsel for some of the individual defendants, each of whom has denied all liability and also is vigorously defending the action.

PG&E Bankruptcy Filing

On January 29, 2019, Pacific Gas & Electric Company, and its parent company PG&E Corporation, our largest utility customer, filed voluntary bankruptcy petitions under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California. PG&E accounted for approximately 12% of revenues during 2019, and 12% in 2018. As a utility company, PG&E serves residential and industrial customers in California and has an ongoing obligation to continue to serve its customers, and we continue to perform under our contracts with PG&E post-petition. As of the date of the bankruptcy filing, we had pre-petition accounts receivable of approximately $15,000.

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The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

March 28, 2020

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

On January 31, 2020, PG&E filed a proposed reorganization agreement as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding. In the proposed plan, unsecured creditors, like Davey Tree, are proposed to be paid in full with interest accruing on the past amounts due at the federal judgment rate. The proposed reorganization agreement was approved to proceed by the bankruptcy court, but is still subject to the objection and confirmation process. PG&E has stated that it expects to complete the reorganization process by June 2020. While uncertainty exists as to the outcome of the bankruptcy proceedings, we do not anticipate PG&E's bankruptcy to have a material impact on our future cash flows and results of operations.

Northern California Wildfires

On October 7, 2019 and October 8, 2019, four lawsuits were filed against multiple vegetation management contractors to PG&E, including Davey Tree, for damages resulting from the Northern California wildfires. The filing dates - exactly two years after the start of the fires - suggest that these lawsuits are intended to preserve any claims that might otherwise have become barred by the applicable statute of limitations. Davey Tree has not been served with these complaints at this time. Further, it is unclear at this time whether plaintiffs intend to prosecute these claims separately from the PG&E bankruptcy or not. In the PG&E bankruptcy, the Tort Committee, representing wildfire victims from both the 2017 and 2018 Northern California wildfires, served subpoenas on numerous contractors of PG&E, including Davey Tree Surgery Company, Davey Resource Group, and Davey Tree.

In addition, an action was brought against Davey Tree in Napa County Superior Court, entitled Donna Walker, et al. v. Davey Tree Surgery Company on August 8, 2019. On October 8, 2019, the court issued an order staying that action. The court deferred ruling on Davey’s demurrer and motion to dismiss the complaint based on the absence of PG&E as an indispensable party. The court instead stayed any activity in the case pending a status conference to be held on July 14, 2020, which is after the June 30, 2020 statutory deadline set for PG&E’s bankruptcy case to be resolved in order for PG&E to be eligible to participate in the Wildfire Fund established under Assembly Bill 1054.

In all cases, the Company has denied all liability and will vigorously defend the actions.

Q. The Davey 401KSOP and Employee Stock Ownership Plan

On March 15, 1979, the Company consummated a plan, which transferred control of the Company to its employees. As a part of this plan, the Company initially sold 120,000 common shares (presently, 23,040,000 common shares adjusted for stock splits) to its Employee Stock Ownership Trust (“ESOT”) for $2,700. The Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”), in conjunction with the related ESOT, provided for the grant to certain employees of certain ownership rights in, but not possession of, the common shares held by the trustee of the ESOT. Annual allocations of shares have been made to individual accounts established for the benefit of the participants.

Defined Contribution and Savings Plans--Most employees are eligible to participate in The Davey 401KSOP and ESOP Plan. Effective January 1, 1997, the plan commenced operations and retained the existing ESOP participant accounts and incorporated a deferred savings plan (a “401(k) plan”) feature. Participants in the 401(k) plan are allowed to make before-tax contributions, within Internal Revenue Service established limits, through payroll deductions. Effective January 1, 2020, we match, in either cash or our common shares, 100% of the first three percent and 50% of the next two percent of each participant's before-tax contribution, limited to the first five percent of the employee’s compensation deferred each year. All nonbargaining domestic employees who attained age 21 and completed one year of service are eligible

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The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

March 28, 2020

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

to participate. In May 2004, we adopted the 401K Match Restoration Plan, a defined contribution plan that supplements the retirement benefits of certain employees that participate in the savings plan feature of The Davey 401KSOP and ESOP Plan, but are limited in contributions because of tax rules and regulations.

Our common shares are not listed or traded on an established public trading market, and market prices are, therefore, not available. Semiannually, an independent stock valuation firm determines the fair market value of our common shares based upon our performance and financial condition. The Davey 401KSOP and ESOP Plan includes a put option for shares of the Company’s common stock distributed from the plan. Shares are distributed from the Davey 401KSOP and ESOP Plan to former participants of the plan, their beneficiaries, donees or heirs (each, a “participant”). Since our common stock is not currently traded on an established securities market, if the owners of distributed shares desire to sell their shares, the Company is required to purchase the shares at fair value for two 60-day periods after distribution of the shares from the Davey 401KSOP and ESOP. The fair value of distributed shares subject to the put option totaled $2,272 and $4,749 as of March 28, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. The fair value of the shares held in the Davey 401KSOP and ESOP totaled $124,443 and $119,806 as of March 28, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Due to the Company’s obligation under the put option, the distributed shares subject to the put option and the shares held in the Davey 401KSOP and ESOP (collectively referred to as 401KSOP and ESOP related shares) are recorded at fair value, classified as temporary equity in the mezzanine section of the consolidated balance sheets and totaled $126,715 and $124,555 as of March 28, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Changes in the fair value of the 401KSOP and ESOP Plan related shares are reflected in retained earnings while net share activity associated with 401KSOP and ESOP Plan related shares are first reflected in additional paid-in capital and then retained earnings if additional paid-in capital is insufficient.

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is provided as a supplement to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and notes to help provide an understanding of our financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

We provide a wide range of arboricultural, horticultural, environmental and consulting services to residential, utility, commercial and government entities throughout the United States and Canada.

Our Business--Our operating results are reported in two segments organized by type or class of customer: Residential and Commercial, and Utility. Residential and Commercial provides services to our residential and commercial customers including: the treatment, preservation, maintenance, removal and planting of trees, shrubs and other plant life; the practice of landscaping, grounds maintenance, tree surgery, tree feeding and tree spraying; the application of fertilizer, herbicides and insecticides; and natural resource management and consulting, forestry research and development, and environmental planning. Utility is principally engaged in providing services to our utility customers--investor-owned, municipal utilities, and rural electric cooperatives--including: the practice of line-clearing and vegetation management around power lines and rights-of-way and chemical brush control, natural resource management and consulting, forestry research and development, and environmental planning. All other operating activities, including research, technical support and laboratory diagnostic facilities, are included in "All Other."

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Impact of COVID-19

While the recent coronavirus ("COVID-19") pandemic did not have a material adverse effect on our reported results for our fiscal first quarter, the overall extent and duration of COVID-19 on businesses and economic activity generally remains unclear.

We have taken steps to support our employees and protect their health and safety, while also ensuring that our business can continue to operate and provide services to our customers. Where possible, we have transitioned our employees to work from home and implemented measures to ensure social distancing when providing services to our customers, including providing personal protective equipment and limiting contact within vehicles. We have also provided additional administrative leave for employees affected by COVID-19 directly or indirectly and have converted our 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to a virtual-only format. We also drew $50,000 from our revolving credit facility to provide us with additional liquidity in light of of the uncertainty resulting from COVID-19.

The extent to which our operations may be impacted by COVID-19 will depend largely on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be accurately predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of the outbreak and actions by government authorities to contain the pandemic or treat its impact, among other things.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table sets forth our consolidated results of operations as a percentage of revenues and the percentage change in dollar amounts of the results of operations for the periods presented.

	Three Months Ended
	March 28, 2020		March 30, 2019		Change
Revenues	100.0	%	100.0	%	—	%
Costs and expenses:
Operating	68.8		67.0		1.8
Selling	17.4		18.7		(1.3	)
General and administrative	7.5		7.7		(.2	)
Depreciation and amortization	5.0		5.7		(.7	)
Gain on sale of assets, net	(.1	)	(.3	)	.2
Income from operations	1.4		1.2		.2
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(.7	)	(.9	)	.2
Interest income	—		—		—
Other, net	(.6	)	(.6	)	—
Income (loss) before income taxes	.1		(.3	)	.4
Income taxes (benefit)	—		(.1	)	.1
Net income (loss)	.1	%	(.2	)%	.3	%

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First Three Months—Three Months Ended March 28, 2020 Compared to Three Months Ended March 30, 2019

Our results of operations for the three months ended March 28, 2020 compared to the three months ended March 30, 2019 follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 28, 2020			March 30, 2019			Change			Percentage Change
Revenues	$	288,280		$	247,889		$	40,391		16.3	%
Costs and expenses:
Operating	198,393			166,016			32,377			19.5
Selling	50,112			46,304			3,808			8.2
General and administrative	21,542			19,044			2,498			13.1
Depreciation and amortization	14,604			14,212			392			2.8
Gain on sale of assets, net	(305		)	(653		)	348			(53.3	)
	284,346			244,923			39,423			16.1
Income from operations	3,934			2,966			968			32.6
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(1,946		)	(2,151		)	205			(9.5	)
Interest income	101			83			18			21.7
Other, net	(1,899		)	(1,655		)	(244		)	14.7
Income (loss) before income taxes	190			(757		)	947			(125.1	)
Income taxes (benefit)	17			(264		)	281			(106.4	)
Net income (loss)	$	173		$	(493	)	$	666		(135.1	)%

Revenues--Revenues of $288,280 increased $40,391 compared with $247,889 in the first three months of 2019. Utility Services increased $45,280 or 32.2% compared with the first three months of 2019. The increase is attributable to new accounts, as well as increased work year-over-year and price increases on existing accounts within both our U.S. and Canadian operations. Most of our Utility Services segment work has been deemed essential services and has not been significantly affected by COVID-19. Residential and Commercial Services decreased $5,442 or 5.1% compared with the first three months of 2019. Decreases were predominately in grounds maintenance and storm work. While our Residential and Commercial Services segment work was deemed essential services in most states, we have experienced temporary shutdowns or work restrictions related to the COVID-19 in a few states and certain Canadian provinces. Where possible, Residential and Commercial Services employees affected by a shutdown or work restrictions have been reassigned to assist with Utility Services operations.

Operating Expenses--Operating expenses of $198,393 increased $32,377 compared with the first three months of 2019 and, as a percentage of revenues, increased to 68.8% from 67.0%. Utility Services increased $32,616 or 31.6% compared with the first three months of 2019 but, as a percentage of revenue, decreased to 73.2% from 73.5%. The increase was attributable to additional labor expense, equipment maintenance expense, fuel expense, subcontractor expense and meals and lodging expense. Residential and Commercial Services decreased $2,015 or 3.2% compared with the first three months of 2019 but, as a percentage of revenue, increased to 59.6% from 58.4%. The decrease was

- 34 -

attributable to decreases in subcontractor expense, materials expense and chemical expense, offset by increases in labor expense, fuel, and equipment maintenance expense.

Operating expenses for the quarter also included $812 of expenses related directly to COVID-19, including $762 for additional administrative leave offered to employees who have been unable to work due to COVID-19 imposed restrictions whether from the virus itself or government imposed restrictions or closures.

Fuel costs of $8,036 increased $515, or 6.8%, from the $7,521 incurred in the first three months of 2019 and impacted operating expenses within all segments. The $515 increase included usage increases approximating $613 and price decreases approximating $98. While COVID-19 did not have a significant impact on our fuel costs for the first quarter, we anticipate that cost savings will potentially be recognized in future quarters due in part to current economic issues affecting oil prices and the effect of COVID-19 on our Residential and Commercial operations.

Selling Expenses--Selling expenses of $50,112 increased $3,808 compared with the first three months of 2019 but, as a percentage of revenue, decreased to 17.4% from 18.7%. Utility Services increased $2,329 or 13.2% over the first three months of 2019 but, as a percentage of revenue, decreased to 10.7% from 12.5%. The increase was attributable to additional field management wages and incentive expense, office lease expense and communication expense. Residential and Commercial Services experienced an increase of $1,429 or 4.8% over the first three months of 2019 and, as a percentage of revenue, increased to 30.5% from 27.6%. The increase was attributable to increases in field management wages and incentive expense, office lease expense, and travel expense.

General and Administrative Expenses--General and administrative expenses of $21,542 increased $2,498 from $19,044 in the first three months of 2019. The increase was primarily attributable to increases in salary and incentive expense, computer expense and travel expense.

Depreciation and Amortization Expense--Depreciation and amortization expense of $14,604 increased $392 from $14,212 incurred in the first three months of 2019. The increase was attributable to higher capital expenditures and purchases of businesses in recent years necessary to support the business.

Gain on the Sale of Assets, Net--Gain on the sale of assets of $305 for the first three months of 2020 decreased $348 from the $653 gain in the first three months of 2019. We sold fewer individual units of equipment during the first three months of 2020 as compared with the first three months of 2019 at a lower average gain per unit.

Interest Expense--Interest expense of $1,946 decreased $205 from the $2,151 incurred in the first three months of 2019. The decrease is attributable to lower interest rates during the first three months of 2020, as compared with the first three months of 2019.

Other, Net--Other expense, net, of $1,899 increased $244 from the $1,655 expense incurred in the first three months of 2019 and consisted of nonoperating income and expense, including foreign currency gains/losses on the intercompany account balances of our Canadian operations.

Income Taxes--Income taxes for the first three months of 2020 were $17, as compared to a tax benefit of $264 for the first three months of 2019. Our tax provision for interim periods is determined using an estimate of our annual effective tax rate adjusted for discrete items, if any, that are taken into account in the relevant period. The effective tax rate for the first three months of 2020 was 28.5%. Our effective tax rate for the first three months of 2019 was 28.3%. The change in the effective tax rate from statutory tax rates is primarily due to the impact of state and local taxes which are partially offset by favorable discrete items.

Net Income--Net income of $173 for the first three months of 2020 was $666 more than the net loss of $493 for the first three months of 2019.

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our principal financial requirements are for capital spending, working capital and business acquisitions. Cash generated from operations, our revolving credit facility and note issuances are our primary sources of capital.

Cash Flow Summary

Our cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities for the three months ended March 28, 2020 and March 30, 2019 follow:

	Three Months Ended
	March 28, 2020			March 30, 2019
Cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities	$	2,768		$	11,428
Investing activities	(21,012		)	(24,977		)
Financing activities	74,173			17,564
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(100		)	(12		)
Increase in cash	$	55,829		$	4,003

Cash Provided By Operating Activities--Cash provided by operating activities was $2,768 for the first three months of 2020, or $8,660 less than the $11,428 provided in the first three months of 2019. The $8,660 decrease in operating cash flow was primarily attributable to a change of $19,095 related to accounts receivable, partially offset by an increase of $4,361 related to prepaid expenses, a decrease in cash used for accounts payable and accrued expenses of $5,245 and the change of $5,673 related to self-insurance reserves.

Overall, accounts receivable increased $17,161 during the first three months of 2020, as compared to a decrease of $1,934 during the first three months of 2019. With respect to the change in accounts receivable arising from business levels, the “days-sales-outstanding” in accounts receivable (sometimes referred to as “DSO”) at the end of the first three months of 2020 increased by six days to 78 days, when compared to 72 days at the end of the first three months of 2019, with the periods being impacted by the pre-petition receivables of approximately $15,000 from PG&E. DSO excluding PG&E pre-petition receivables would be 74 and 66 days at the end of the first three months of 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Prepaid expenses decreased $8,176 in the first three months of 2020, or $4,361 more than the $3,815 decrease in the first three months of 2019. The decrease was primarily related to the reduction of prepaid payroll taxes.

Accounts payable and accrued expenses decreased $7,532 in the first three months of 2020, or $5,245 less than the $12,777 decrease in the first three months of 2019. Decreases in accrued employee compensation and advance payments from customers were partially offset by increases in trade payables and taxes payable. Self-insurance reserves increased $4,408 in the first three months of 2020, which was $5,673 more than the decrease of $1,265 experienced in the first three months of 2019.

As we cannot predict the duration or scope of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on our customers and suppliers (or workforce), the negative financial impact to our results cannot be reasonably estimated, but could be material.  We are actively managing the business to maintain cash flow and we have significant liquidity.  We believe that these factors will allow us to meet our anticipated funding requirements.

Cash Used In Investing Activities--Cash used in investing activities for the first three months of 2020 was $21,012, or $3,965 less than the $24,977 used during the first three months of 2019. The decrease was primarily the result of decreases in capital expenditures for equipment

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of $3,700 and a decrease in purchases of businesses of $1,090, which was partially offset by a decrease in proceeds from the sales of fixed assets of $228.

Cash Used In Financing Activities--Cash used in financing activities of $74,173 increased $56,609 during the first three months of 2020 as compared with $17,564 of cash provided during the first three months of 2019. During the first three months of 2020, our revolving credit facility, net provided $81,000 in cash as compared with $4,000 used during the first three months of 2019. We use the credit facility primarily for capital expenditures, redemptions of shares and payments of notes payable related to acquisitions. We drew $50,000 from our revolving credit facility to provide additional liquidity as a precaution because of uncertainty resulting from COVID-19. Notes payable used a net $2,700, during the first three months of 2020, a decrease of $25,370 when compared to the $22,670 provided in the first three months of 2019, including $25,000 provided by the issuance of 4.00% Senior Notes during the first three months of 2019. Treasury share transactions (purchases and sales) used $2,845 for the first three months of 2020, $3,048 less than the $203 provided in the first three months of 2019. Dividends paid of $575 during the first three months of 2020 decreased $15 as compared with $590 paid in the first three months of 2019.

The Company currently repurchases common shares at shareholders’ requests in accordance with the terms of the Davey 401KSOP and ESOP Plan and also repurchases common shares from time to time at the Company’s discretion. The amount of common shares offered to the Company for repurchase by the holders of shares distributed from the Davey 401KSOP and ESOP Plan is not within the control of the Company, but is at the discretion of the shareholders. The Company expects to continue to repurchase its common shares, as offered by its shareholders from time to time, at their then current fair value. However, other than for repurchases pursuant to the put option under the Davey 401KSOP and ESOP Plan, as described in Note Q, such purchases are not required, and the Company retains the right to discontinue them at any time. Repurchases of redeemable common shares at the shareholders' request approximated $49 and $284 during the three months ended March 28, 2020 and March 30, 2019, respectively. Share repurchases, other than redeemable common shares, approximated $8,012 and $4,146 during the three months ended March 28, 2020 and March 30, 2019, respectively.

Contractual Obligations Summary and Commercial Commitments

As of March 28, 2020, total commitments related to issued letters of credit were $81,618, of which $2,877 were issued under the revolving credit facility, $76,732 were issued under the AR Securitization program, and $2,009 were issued under short-term lines of credit. As of December 31, 2019, total commitments related to issued LCs were $81,619, of which $2,877 were issued under the revolving credit facility, $76,732 were issued under the AR Securitization program, and $2,010 were issued under short-term lines of credit.

Also, as is common in our industry, we have performance obligations that are supported by surety bonds, which expire during 2020 through 2023. We intend to renew the surety bonds where appropriate and as necessary.

Capital Resources

Cash generated from operations and our revolving credit facility are our primary sources of capital.

Business seasonality traditionally results in higher revenues during the second and third quarters as compared with the first and fourth quarters of the year, while our methods of accounting for fixed costs, such as depreciation and amortization expense, rent and interest expense, are not significantly impacted by business seasonality. Capital resources during these periods are equally affected. We satisfy seasonal working capital needs and other financing requirements with the revolving credit facility and other short-term lines of credit. We are continually reviewing our existing sources of financing and evaluating alternatives. At March 28, 2020, we had working capital of $185,827, and short-term lines of credit approximating $9,059 and $104,123 available under our revolving credit facility.

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For more information regarding our outstanding debt, see Note F, Long-Term Debt and Commitments Related to Letters of Credit.

We believe our sources of capital, at this time, provide us with the financial flexibility to meet our capital-spending plans and to continue to complete business acquisitions for at least the next twelve months and for the reasonably foreseeable future. However, we cannot predict the full extent of the potential impact resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, results of operations and sources of capital.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires the use of estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented.

As discussed in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, we believe that our policies related to revenue recognition, the allowance for doubtful accounts, stock valuation and self-insurance reserves are our “critical accounting policies and estimates”--those most important to the financial presentations and those that require the most difficult, subjective or complex judgments.

On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions, including those related to accounts receivable, specifically those receivables under contractual arrangements primarily with Utility customers; allowance for doubtful accounts; and self-insurance reserves. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance.  In some cases, forward-looking statements may be identified by terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," "continue" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our or our industry's actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from what is expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. Some important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, some of which have been, and may further be, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic include:

▪ The coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has impacted, and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

▪ We may be unable to attract and retain a sufficient number of qualified employees for our field operations, and we may be unable to attract and retain qualified management personnel.

▪ We have significant contracts with our utility, commercial and government customers that include liability risk exposure as part of those contracts. Consequently, we have substantial excess-umbrella liability insurance, and increases in the cost of obtaining adequate insurance, or the inadequacy of our self-insurance reserves or insurance coverages, could negatively impact our liquidity and financial condition.

▪ The unavailability or cancellation of third-party insurance coverage may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations as well as disrupt our operations.

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▪ We could be materially adversely affected by wildfires in California and other areas as well as other severe weather events and natural disasters, including negative impacts to our business, reputation, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and cash flows.

▪ Our business, other than tree services to utility customers, is highly seasonal and weather dependent.

▪ Significant customers, particularly utilities, may experience financial difficulties, resulting in payment delays or delinquencies.

▪ We are subject to litigation and third-party and governmental regulatory claims and adverse litigation judgments or settlements resulting from those claims could materially adversely affect our business.

▪ Significant increases in fuel prices for extended periods of time will increase our operating expenses.

▪ We are subject to intense competition.

▪ Various economic factors may adversely impact our customers’ spending and pricing for our services, and impede our collection of accounts receivable.

▪ The impact of regulations initiated as a response to possible changing climate conditions could have a negative effect on our results of operations or our financial condition.

▪ The seasonal nature of our business and changes in general and local economic conditions, among other factors, may cause our quarterly results to fluctuate, and our prior performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.

▪ We may misjudge a competitive bid and be contractually bound to an unprofitable contract.

▪ A disruption in our information technology systems, including a disruption related to cybersecurity, or the impact of costs incurred to comply with cybersecurity or data privacy regulations, could adversely affect our financial performance.

▪ We are dependent, in part, on our reputation of quality, integrity and performance. If our reputation is damaged, we may be adversely affected.

▪ Because no public market exists for our common shares, the ability of shareholders to sell their common shares is limited.

▪ Our failure to comply with environmental laws could result in significant liabilities, fines and/or penalties.

▪ We may encounter difficulties obtaining surety bonds or letters of credit necessary to support our operations.

▪ The uncertainties in the credit and financial markets may limit our access to capital.

▪ Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates may have a material adverse impact on our operating results.

▪ Significant increases in health care costs could negatively impact our results of operations or financial position.

▪ Our facilities could be damaged or our operations could be disrupted, or our customers or vendors may be adversely affected, by events such as natural disasters, pandemics, such as COVID-19, terrorist attacks or other external events.

▪ Our inability to properly verify the employment eligibility of our employees could adversely affect our business.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. We are under no duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q to conform these statements to actual future results.

The factors described above, as well as other factors that may adversely impact our actual results, are discussed in "Part I - Item 1A. Risk Factors." of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

With the exception of the impacts of COVID-19, which are discussed elsewhere in this document, there have been no material changes in our reported market risks or risk management policies since the filing of our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 9. 2020.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

(a) Management’s Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)). Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level as of the end of the period covered by this report in ensuring that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have required certain employees, some of whom are involved in the operation of our internal controls over financial reporting, to work from home. Despite working remotely, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the first quarter ended March 28, 2020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Part II. Other Information

Items 3, 4 and 5 are not applicable.

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

On a quarterly basis, we assess our liabilities and contingencies in connection with outstanding legal proceedings utilizing the latest information available. Where it is probable that we will incur a loss and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, we record a liability in our consolidated financial statements. These legal accruals may be increased or decreased to reflect any relevant developments on a quarterly basis. Where a loss is not probable or the amount of the loss is not estimable, we do not record a legal accrual, consistent with applicable accounting guidance. Based on information currently available to us, advice of counsel, and available insurance coverage, we believe that our established accruals are adequate and the liabilities arising from the legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition. We note, however, that in light of the inherent uncertainty in legal proceedings there can be no assurance that the ultimate resolution of a matter will not exceed established accruals. As a result, the outcome of a particular matter or a combination of matters may be material to our results of operations for a particular period, depending upon the size of the loss or our income for that particular period.

In November 2017, a suit was filed in Savannah, Georgia state court (“State Court”) against Davey Tree, its subsidiary, Wolf Tree, Inc. ("Wolf Tree"), a former Davey employee, two Wolf Tree employees, and a former Wolf Tree employee alleging various acts of negligence and seeking

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compensatory and punitive damages for wrongful death and assault and battery of the plaintiff’s husband, a Wolf Tree employee, who was shot and killed in August 2017.

In July 2018, a related survival action was filed by the deceased’s estate against Davey Tree, its subsidiary, Wolf Tree, and four current and former employees in Savannah, Georgia, which arises out of the same allegations, seeks compensatory and punitive damages and also includes three Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act ("RICO") claims under Georgia law seeking compensatory damages, treble damages, and punitive damages. The 2018 case was removed to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia, Savannah Division (“Federal Court”), on August 2, 2018. The Company filed a motion to dismiss the RICO claims. Plaintiffs filed a motion to remand the case to state court, which the Company has opposed.

The cases were mediated unsuccessfully in December 2018 and the State Court case was originally set for trial on January 22, 2019. However, as discussed below, all of the civil cases were later stayed on December 28, 2018 and currently remain stayed.

On December 6, 2018, a former Wolf Tree employee pled guilty to conspiracy to conceal, harbor, and shield illegal aliens. On December 21, 2018, the United States federal prosecutors filed a motion to stay both actions on the grounds that on December 13, 2018, an indictment was issued charging two former Wolf Tree employees and one other individual with various crimes, including conspiracy to murder the deceased. On December 17, 2018, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia informed the Company and Wolf Tree that they are also under investigation for potential violations of immigration and other laws relating to the subject matter of the ongoing criminal investigation referenced above. The Company and Wolf Tree are cooperating with the investigation.

On December 28, 2018, the State Court granted the United States’ motion to stay but indicated that it would nonetheless consider certain pending matters, including: (1) Plaintiff and a co-defendant’s motions that Davey Tree be forced to produce privileged documents and testimony, which had been submitted to a Special Master for recommendation; and (2) the Defendants’ motions for summary judgment. On January 11, 2019, the Special Master issued his recommendation that both Plaintiff and the co-defendant’s motions to force Davey to disclose privileged information be denied. The State Court judge has not yet moved on the recommendation. On January 29, 2019, the State Court heard oral argument on Defendants’ motions for summary judgment, and the motions remain pending during the stay of the cases.

On January 28, 2019, the Federal Court also granted the United States’ motion to stay. On January 29, 2019, the State Court ordered the parties to return to mediation, which occurred on April 17, 2019 but was unsuccessful in resolving the matters.

In both cases, the Company has denied all liability and is vigorously defending the action. It also has retained separate counsel for some of the individual defendants, each of whom has denied all liability and also is vigorously defending the action.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, includes a detailed discussion of our risk factors. There have been no material changes to the risk factors as previously disclosed other than as described below. However, some of the risk factors disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 have been, and we expect will continue to further be, exacerbated by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Our business, results of operations, financial position or cash flow could in the future be materially adversely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).

The global spread of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has created significant volatility and uncertainty and economic disruption. The extent to which COVID-19 impacts our business, operations and financial results will depend on numerous evolving factors that we may not be able to accurately predict including: the duration and scope of the pandemic; the impact of the pandemic on economic activity; government imposed restrictions in response to the pandemic, including the temporary shutdowns and work restrictions related to COVID-19 in a few states and certain Canadian provinces impacting our Residential and Commercial Services segment; the effect on our customers and their demand for our services; and the ability of our customers to pay for our services. Clients may slow down decision making, delay planned work or seek to terminate existing agreements. The degree of impact of COVID-19 on our customer sales demand will depend on the extent and duration of the economic contraction.

We have taken steps to support our employees and protect their health and safety, while also ensuring that our business can continue to operate and provide services to our customers. Where possible, we have transitioned our employees to work from home and implemented measures to ensure social distancing when providing services to our customers. The resources available to employees working remotely may not enable them to maintain the same level of productivity and efficiency, and these and other employees may face additional demands on their time, such as increased responsibilities resulting from school closures or the illness of family members. Our increased reliance on remote access to our information systems could also increase our exposure to potential data breaches. There is no certainty that such measures will be sufficient to mitigate the risks posed by COVID-19, in which case our employees may become sick, our ability to perform critical functions could be harmed, and our business and operations could be negatively impacted.

While COVID-19 did not have a material adverse effect on our reported results for the first quarter of 2020, we are unable to predict the ultimate impact that it may have on our business, including how it will impact our customers, employees, supply chain and liquidity.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

The following table provides information on purchases of our common shares outstanding made by us during the first three months of 2020.

Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased	Average Price Paid per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs	Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
Fiscal 2019
January 1 to January 25	1,005	$	22.60	—	866,570
January 26 to February 22	645	22.60		—	866,570
February 23 to March 28	331,652	24.20		—	866,570
Total First Quarter	333,302	24.19		—
Total Year-to-Date	333,302	$	24.19	—

Our common shares are not listed or traded on an established public trading market and market prices are, therefore, not available. Semiannually, for purposes of the Davey 401KSOP and ESOP, the fair market value of our common shares is determined by an independent stock valuation firm, based upon our performance and financial condition, using a peer group of comparable companies selected by that firm. The peer group

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currently consists of: ABM Industries Incorporated; Comfort Systems USA, Inc.; Dycom Industries, Inc.; FirstService Corporation; MYR Group, Inc.; Quanta Services, Inc.; Rollins, Inc.; and Scotts Miracle-Gro Company. The semiannual valuations are effective for a period of six months and the per-share price established by those valuations is the price at which our Board of Directors has determined our common shares will be bought and sold during that six-month period in transactions involving Davey Tree or one of its employee benefit or stock purchase plans. Since 1979, we have provided a ready market for all shareholders through our direct purchase of their common shares, although we are under no obligation to do so (other than for repurchases pursuant to the put option under The Davey 401KSOP and ESOP Plan, as described in Note Q, The Davey 401KSOP and Employee Stock Ownership Plan). The purchases described above were added to our treasury stock.

At the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company held on May 16, 2017, the shareholders of the Company approved proposals to amend the Company's Articles of Incorporation to (i) expand the Company's right of first refusal with respect to proposed transfers of shares of the Company's common shares, (ii) clarify provisions regarding when the Company may provide notice of its decision to exercise its right of first refusal with respect to proposed transfers of common shares by the estate or personal representative of a deceased shareholder, and (iii) grant the Company a right to repurchase common shares held by certain shareholders of the Company.

On May 10, 2017, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted a policy regarding the Company's exercise of the repurchase rights granted to the Company through amendments to the Company's Articles of Incorporation, as approved by shareholders on May 16, 2017.

Until further action by the Board, it is the policy of the Company not to exercise its repurchase rights under the amended Articles with respect to shares of the Company's common shares held by current and retired employees and current and former directors of the Company (subject to exceptions set forth in the policy) (collectively, "Active Shareholders"), their spouses, their first-generation descendants and trusts established exclusively for their benefit.

Until further action by the Board, it is also the policy of the Company not to exercise its rights under the amended Articles to repurchase shares of the Company's common shares proposed to be transferred by an Active Shareholder to his or her spouse, a first-generation descendant, or a trust established exclusively for the benefit of one or more of an Active Shareholder, his or her spouse and first-generation descendants of an Active Shareholder, or upon the death of an Active Shareholder, such transfers from the estate or personal representative of a deceased Active Shareholder. The Board may suspend, change or discontinue the policy at any time without prior notice.

In accordance with the amendments to the Articles approved by the Company's shareholders at the 2017 Annual Meeting, on May 17, 2017, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to 200,000 common shares, which authorization was increased by an additional 1,000,000 common shares in May 2018. Of the 1,200,000 total shares authorized, 866,570 remain available under the program. Share repurchases may be made from time to time and the timing of any repurchases and the actual number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors. The Company is not obligated to purchase any shares, and repurchases may be commenced, suspended or discontinued from time to time without prior notice. The repurchase program does not have an expiration date.

Item 6. Exhibits.

See Exhibit Index page below.

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Exhibit Index

Exhibit No.	Description
31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.	Filed Herewith
31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.	Filed Herewith
32.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.	Furnished Herewith
32.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.	Furnished Herewith
101	The following materials from the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 28, 2020, formatted in iXBRL (inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited), (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited), (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (unaudited), (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (unaudited), (v) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited), and (vi) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited). The instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document.	Filed Herewith
104	Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the inline XBRL document)	Filed Herewith

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Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

			THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY
Date:	May 5, 2020	By:	/s/ Joseph R. Paul
			Joseph R. Paul
			Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
			(Principal Financial Officer)
Date:	May 5, 2020	By:	/s/ Thea R. Sears
			Thea R. Sears
			Vice President and Controller
			(Principal Accounting Officer)

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EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

Certification

Certification of Chief Executive Officer

I, Patrick M. Covey, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of The Davey Tree Expert Company;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:	May 5, 2020	/s/ Patrick M. Covey
		Patrick M. Covey
		Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

Certification

Certification of Chief Financial Officer

I, Joseph R. Paul, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of The Davey Tree Expert Company;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:	May 5, 2020	/s/ Joseph R. Paul
		Joseph R. Paul
		Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Certification of Chief Executive Officer

I, Patrick M. Covey, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Davey Tree Expert Company (the "Company"), do hereby certify in accordance with 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

1. The Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the period ended March 28, 2020 (the "Report") fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)), as applicable; and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date:	May 5, 2020	/s/ Patrick M. Covey
		Patrick M. Covey
		Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-32.2

Exhibit 32.2

Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Certification of Chief Financial Officer

I, Joseph R. Paul, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of The Davey Tree Expert Company (the "Company"), do hereby certify in accordance with 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

1. The Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the period ended March 28, 2020  (the "Report") fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)), as applicable; and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date:	May 5, 2020	/s/ Joseph R. Paul
		Joseph R. Paul
		Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

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Leases Assets and liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 28, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Assets and Liabilities, Lessee [Abstract]
Operating lease assets	$ 49,787	$ 40,033
Finance lease assets	2,832	3,183
Total lease assets	52,619	43,216
Current operating lease liabilities	16,920	14,665
Non-current operating lease liabilities	32,712	25,200
Total operating lease liabilities	49,632	39,865
Current portion of finance lease liabilities	(1,332)	(1,348)
Non-current finance lease liabilities	1,104	1,795
Total finance lease liabilities	2,436	3,143
Total lease liabilities	$ 52,068	$ 43,008

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Identified Intangible Assets and Goodwill, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 28, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Mar. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Identified intangible assets, gross	$ 44,356	$ 44,094
Accumulated amortization	33,261	33,160
Identified intangible assets, net	11,095	10,934
Goodwill	43,780	42,285	$ 39,328	$ 37,971
Customer lists/relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Identified intangible assets, gross	28,478	28,301
Accumulated amortization	20,024	20,024
Employment-related [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Identified intangible assets, gross	8,485	8,391
Accumulated amortization	7,448	7,348
Tradenames [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Identified intangible assets, gross	7,393	7,402
Accumulated amortization	$ 5,789	$ 5,788

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Revenue Recognition (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2020	Mar. 30, 2019
Disaggregation of revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	$ 288,280	$ 247,889
United States
Disaggregation of revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	272,717	230,906
Canada
Disaggregation of revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	15,563	16,983
Tree and plant care [Member]
Disaggregation of revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	201,975	163,802
Grounds maintenance [Member]
Disaggregation of revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	23,066	27,942
Storm damage services [Member]
Disaggregation of revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	1,160	2,697
Consulting and other [Member]
Disaggregation of revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	62,079	53,448
Utility [Member]
Disaggregation of revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	185,749	140,469
Utility [Member] | United States
Disaggregation of revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	177,087	129,882
Utility [Member] | Canada
Disaggregation of revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	8,662	10,587
Utility [Member] | Tree and plant care [Member]
Disaggregation of revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	141,743	103,386
Utility [Member] | Grounds maintenance [Member]
Disaggregation of revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	0	0
Utility [Member] | Storm damage services [Member]
Disaggregation of revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	523	1,072
Utility [Member] | Consulting and other [Member]
Disaggregation of revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	43,483	36,011
Residential commercial [Member]
Disaggregation of revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	101,953	107,395
Residential commercial [Member] | United States
Disaggregation of revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	95,052	100,999
Residential commercial [Member] | Canada
Disaggregation of revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	6,901	6,396
Residential commercial [Member] | Tree and plant care [Member]
Disaggregation of revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	60,257	60,427
Residential commercial [Member] | Grounds maintenance [Member]
Disaggregation of revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	23,066	27,942
Residential commercial [Member] | Storm damage services [Member]
Disaggregation of revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	637	1,625
Residential commercial [Member] | Consulting and other [Member]
Disaggregation of revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	17,993	17,401
All other [Member]
Disaggregation of revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	578	25
All other [Member] | United States
Disaggregation of revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	578	25
All other [Member] | Canada
Disaggregation of revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	0	0
All other [Member] | Tree and plant care [Member]
Disaggregation of revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	(25)	(11)
All other [Member] | Grounds maintenance [Member]
Disaggregation of revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	0	0
All other [Member] | Storm damage services [Member]
Disaggregation of revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	0	0
All other [Member] | Consulting and other [Member]
Disaggregation of revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	$ 603	$ 36

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Commitments and contingencies Details (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2020 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Loss contingency, number of claims alleged	3
Credit Concentration Risk [Member]
Concentration risk, percentage		12.00%	12.00%
Customer Concentration Risk [Member]
Pre-petition accounts receivable	$ 15,000
Former Davey employee defendants [Member]
Loss contingency, number of defendants	1
Wolf employee defendants [Member]
Loss contingency, number of defendants	2
Former Wolf employee defendants [Member]
Loss contingency, number of defendants	1
Employee and former employee defendants [Member]
Loss contingency, number of defendants	4
Former Wolf employee defendants indicted [Member]
Loss contingency, number of defendants	2
Other individuals [Member]
Loss contingency, number of defendants	1

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Per Share Amounts and Common Shares Outstanding

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2020

Equity [Abstract]

Per share amounts and common and redeemable shares outstanding [Text Block]

Per Share Amounts and Common and Redeemable Shares Outstanding

We calculate our basic earnings per share by dividing net income or net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share are calculated in a similar manner, but include the effect of dilutive securities. To the extent these securities are antidilutive, they are excluded from the calculation of earnings per share. The per share amounts were computed as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 28, 2020		March 30, 2019
Income available to common shareholders:
Net income (loss)	$	173	$	(493	)
Weighted-average shares:
Basic:
Outstanding	23,187		22,910
Partially-paid share subscriptions	—		162
Basic weighted-average shares	23,187		23,072
Diluted:
Basic from above	23,187		23,072
Incremental shares from assumed:
Exercise of stock subscription purchase rights	—		119
Exercise of stock options and awards	984		827
Diluted weighted-average shares	24,171		24,018
Net income (loss) per share:
Basic	$	.01	$	(.02	)
Diluted	$	.01	$	(.02	)

The potentially dilutive shares were excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share for the three months ended March 30, 2019 because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

Common and Redeemable Shares Outstanding--A summary of the activity of the common and redeemable shares outstanding for the three months ended March 28, 2020 follows:

	Common Shares Net of Treasury Shares		Redeemable Shares		Total
Shares outstanding at January 1, 2020	18,029,921		5,146,882		23,176,803
Shares purchased	(215,384	)	(117,918	)	(333,302	)
Shares sold	110		207,194		207,304
Options and awards exercised	15,669		—		15,669
Shares outstanding at March 28, 2020	17,830,316		5,236,158		23,066,474

On March 28, 2020, we had 23,066,474 common and redeemable shares outstanding and employee options exercisable to purchase 936,457 common shares.

Stock Subscription Offering--Beginning May 2012, the Company offered to eligible employees and nonemployee directors the right to subscribe to common shares of the Company at $9.85 per share in accordance with the provisions of The Davey Tree Expert Company 2004 Omnibus Stock Plan and the rules of the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors (collectively, the "plan"). The offering period ended on August 1, 2012 and resulted in the subscription of 1,275,428 common shares for $12,563 at $9.85 per share.

Under the plan, a participant in the offering purchasing common shares for an aggregate purchase price of less than $5 was required to pay with cash. All participants (excluding Company directors and officers) purchasing $5 or more of the common shares had an option to finance their purchase through a down-payment of at least 10% of the total purchase price and a seven-year promissory note for the balance due with interest at 2%. Payments on the promissory note were made either by payroll deductions or annual lump-sum payments of both principal and interest.

Common shares purchased under the plan were pledged as security for the payment of the promissory note and the common shares were not issued until the promissory note was paid-in-full. Dividends were paid on all subscribed shares, subject to forfeiture to the extent that payment was not ultimately made for the shares.

All participants in the offering purchasing in excess of $5 of common shares were granted a "right" to purchase one additional common share at a price of $9.85 per share for every three common shares purchased under the plan. As a result of the stock subscription, employees were granted rights to purchase 423,600 common shares. Each right could have been exercised at the rate of one-seventh per year and expired seven years after the date that the right was granted. Employees could not exercise a right if they ceased to be employed by the Company. All rights expired in August 2019.

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Commitments and contingencies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2020

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and contingencies [Text Block]

Commitments and Contingencies

We are party to a number of lawsuits, threatened lawsuits and other claims arising out of the normal course of business. On a quarterly basis, we assess our liabilities and contingencies in connection with outstanding legal proceedings utilizing the latest information available. Where it is probable that we will incur a loss and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, we record a liability in our consolidated financial statements. These legal accruals may be increased or decreased to reflect any relevant developments on a quarterly basis. Where a loss is not probable or the amount of the loss is not estimable, we do not record a legal accrual, consistent with applicable accounting guidance. Based on information currently available to us, advice of counsel, and available insurance coverage, we believe that our established accruals are adequate and the liabilities arising from the legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition. We note, however, that in light of the inherent uncertainty in legal proceedings there can be no assurance that the ultimate resolution of a matter will not exceed established accruals. As a result, the outcome of a particular matter or a combination of matters may be material to our results of operations for a particular period, depending upon the size of the loss or our income for that particular period.

In November 2017, a suit was filed in Savannah, Georgia state court (“State Court”) against Davey Tree, its subsidiary, Wolf Tree, Inc. ("Wolf Tree"), a former Davey employee, two Wolf Tree employees, and a former Wolf Tree employee alleging various acts of negligence and seeking compensatory and punitive damages for wrongful death and assault and battery of the plaintiff’s husband, a Wolf Tree employee, who was shot and killed in August 2017.

In July 2018, a related survival action was filed by the deceased’s estate against Davey Tree, its subsidiary, Wolf Tree, and four current and former employees in Savannah, Georgia, which arises out of the same allegations, seeks compensatory and punitive damages and also includes three Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act ("RICO") claims under Georgia law seeking compensatory damages, treble damages, and punitive damages. The 2018 case was removed to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia, Savannah Division (“Federal Court”), on August 2, 2018. The Company filed a motion to dismiss the RICO claims. Plaintiffs filed a motion to remand the case to state court, which the Company has opposed.

The cases were mediated unsuccessfully in December 2018 and the State Court case was originally set for trial on January 22, 2019. However, as discussed below, all of the civil cases were later stayed on December 28, 2018 and currently remain stayed.

On December 6, 2018, a former Wolf Tree employee pled guilty to conspiracy to conceal, harbor, and shield illegal aliens. On December 21, 2018, the United States federal prosecutors filed a motion to stay both actions on the grounds that on December 13, 2018, an indictment was issued charging two former Wolf Tree employees and one other individual with various crimes, including conspiracy to murder the deceased. On December 17, 2018, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia informed the Company and Wolf Tree that they are also under investigation for potential violations of immigration and other laws relating to the subject matter of the ongoing criminal investigation referenced above. The Company and Wolf Tree are cooperating with the investigation.

On December 28, 2018, the State Court granted the United States’ motion to stay but indicated that it would nonetheless consider certain pending matters, including: (1) Plaintiff and a co-defendant’s motions that Davey Tree be forced to produce privileged documents and testimony, which had been submitted to a Special Master for recommendation; and (2) the Defendants’ motions for summary judgment. On January 11, 2019, the Special Master issued his recommendation that both Plaintiff and the co-defendant’s motions to force Davey to disclose privileged information be denied. The State Court judge has not yet moved on the recommendation. On January 29, 2019, the State Court heard oral argument on Defendants’ motions for summary judgment, and the motions remain pending during the stay of the cases.

On January 28, 2019, the Federal Court also granted the United States’ motion to stay. On January 29, 2019, the State Court ordered the parties to return to mediation, which occurred on April 17, 2019 but was unsuccessful in resolving the matters.

In both cases, the Company has denied all liability and is vigorously defending the action. It also has retained separate counsel for some of the individual defendants, each of whom has denied all liability and also is vigorously defending the action.

PG&E Bankruptcy Filing

On January 29, 2019, Pacific Gas & Electric Company, and its parent company PG&E Corporation, our largest utility customer, filed voluntary bankruptcy petitions under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California. PG&E accounted for approximately 12% of revenues during 2019, and 12% in 2018. As a utility company, PG&E serves residential and industrial customers in California and has an ongoing obligation to continue to serve its customers, and we continue to perform under our contracts with PG&E post-petition. As of the date of the bankruptcy filing, we had pre-petition accounts receivable of approximately $15,000.

On January 31, 2020, PG&E filed a proposed reorganization agreement as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding. In the proposed plan, unsecured creditors, like Davey Tree, are proposed to be paid in full with interest accruing on the past amounts due at the federal judgment rate. The proposed reorganization agreement was approved to proceed by the bankruptcy court, but is still subject to the objection and confirmation process. PG&E has stated that it expects to complete the reorganization process by June 2020. While uncertainty exists as to the outcome of the bankruptcy proceedings, we do not anticipate PG&E's bankruptcy to have a material impact on our future cash flows and results of operations.

Northern California Wildfires

On October 7, 2019 and October 8, 2019, four lawsuits were filed against multiple vegetation management contractors to PG&E, including Davey Tree, for damages resulting from the Northern California wildfires. The filing dates - exactly two years after the start of the fires - suggest that these lawsuits are intended to preserve any claims that might otherwise have become barred by the applicable statute of limitations. Davey Tree has not been served with these complaints at this time. Further, it is unclear at this time whether plaintiffs intend to prosecute these claims separately from the PG&E bankruptcy or not. In the PG&E bankruptcy, the Tort Committee, representing wildfire victims from both the 2017 and 2018 Northern California wildfires, served subpoenas on numerous contractors of PG&E, including Davey Tree Surgery Company, Davey Resource Group, and Davey Tree.

In addition, an action was brought against Davey Tree in Napa County Superior Court, entitled Donna Walker, et al. v. Davey Tree Surgery Company on August 8, 2019. On October 8, 2019, the court issued an order staying that action. The court deferred ruling on Davey’s demurrer and motion to dismiss the complaint based on the absence of PG&E as an indispensable party. The court instead stayed any activity in the case pending a status conference to be held on July 14, 2020, which is after the June 30, 2020 statutory deadline set for PG&E’s bankruptcy case to be resolved in order for PG&E to be eligible to participate in the Wildfire Fund established under Assembly Bill 1054.

In all cases, the Company has denied all liability and will vigorously defend the actions.

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Stock-Based Compensation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2020

Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]

Stock-based compensation[Text Block]

Stock-Based Compensation

Our shareholders approved the 2014 Omnibus Stock Plan (the “2014 Stock Plan”) at our annual meeting of shareholders on May 20, 2014. The 2014 Stock Plan replaced the expired 2004 Omnibus Stock Plan (the “2004 plan”) previously approved by the shareholders in 2004. The 2014 Stock Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors and has a term of ten years. All directors of the Company and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries are eligible to participate in the 2014 Stock Plan. The 2014 Stock Plan (similar to the 2004 plan) continues the maintenance of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as well as provisions for the grant of stock options and other stock-based incentives. The 2014 Stock Plan provides for the grant of five percent of the number of the Company’s common shares outstanding as of the first day of each fiscal year plus the number of common shares that were available for grant of awards, but not granted, in prior years. In no event, however, may the number of common shares available for the grant of awards in any fiscal year exceed ten percent of the common shares outstanding as of the first day of that fiscal year. Common shares subject to an award that is forfeited, terminated, or canceled without having been exercised are generally added back to the number of shares available for grant under the 2014 Stock Plan.

Stock-based compensation expense under all share-based payment plans -- our Employee Stock Purchase Plan, stock option plans, stock-settled stock appreciation rights ("SSARs") and restricted stock units ("RSUs") -- was included in the results of operations as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 28, 2020		March 30, 2019
Compensation expense, all share-based payment plans	$	745	$	753

Stock-based compensation consisted of the following:

Employee Stock Purchase Plan--Under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, all full-time employees with one year of service are eligible to purchase, through payroll deduction, common shares. Employee purchases under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan are at 85% of the fair market value of the common shares--a 15% discount. We recognize compensation costs as payroll deductions are made. The 15% discount of total shares purchased under the plan resulted in compensation cost of $342 being recognized for the three months ended March 28, 2020 and $276 for the three months ended March 30, 2019.

Stock Option Plans--The stock options outstanding were awarded under a graded vesting schedule, measured at fair value, and have a term of ten years. Compensation costs for stock options are recognized over the requisite service period on the straight-line recognition method. Compensation cost recognized for stock options was $126 for the three months ended March 28, 2020 and $149 for the three months ended March 30, 2019.

Stock-Settled Stock Appreciation Rights-- A SSAR is an award that allows the recipient to receive common shares equal to the appreciation in the fair market value of our common shares between the date the award was granted and the conversion date of the shares vested. Effective January 1, 2019, management and the Compensation Committee replaced the issuance of future SSARs with performance-based restricted stock units ("PRSUs") for certain management employees.

The following table summarizes our SSARs as of March 28, 2020.

Stock-Settled Stock Appreciation Rights	Number of Rights		Weighted- Average Award Date Value		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life	Unrecognized Compensation Cost		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Unvested, January 1, 2020	262,705		$	3.47
Granted	—		—
Forfeited	(2,254	)	3.53
Vested	(113,757	)	3.31
Unvested, March 28, 2020	146,694		$	3.59	1.6 years	$	462	$	3,550

Compensation costs for SSARs are determined using a fair-value method and amortized over the requisite service period. Compensation expense for SSARs was $61 for the three months ended March 28, 2020 and $95 for the three months ended March 30, 2019.

Restricted Stock Units--During the three months ended March 28, 2020, the Compensation Committee awarded 86,959 PRSUs to certain management employees. The Compensation Committee made similar awards in prior periods. The awards vest over specified periods. The following table summarizes PRSUs and RSUs as of March 28, 2020.

Restricted Stock Units	Number of Stock Units		Weighted- Average Grant Date Value		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life	Unrecognized Compensation Cost		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Unvested, January 1, 2020	224,259		$	17.11
Granted	86,959		23.72
Forfeited	(1,871	)	17.37
Vested	(49,518	)	14.54
Unvested, March 28, 2020	259,829		$	19.81	3.0 years	$	3,444	$	6,288
Employee PRSUs	228,407		$	19.92	3.5 years	$	3,176	$	5,528
Nonemployee Director RSUs	31,422		$	19.01	1.1 years	$	268	$	760

Compensation cost for PRSUs and RSUs is determined using a fair-value method and amortized on the straight-line recognition method over the requisite service period. “Intrinsic value” is defined as the amount by which the fair market value of a common share exceeds the exercise price of a PRSU or an RSU. Compensation expense on PRSUs and RSUs totaled $216 for the three months ended March 28, 2020 and $233 for the three months ended March 30, 2019.

We estimated the fair value of each stock-based award on the date of grant using a binomial option-pricing model. The binomial model considers a range of assumptions related to volatility, risk-free interest rate and employee exercise behavior. Expected volatilities utilized in the binomial model are based on historical volatility of our stock prices and other factors. Similarly, the dividend yield is based on historical experience and expected future changes. The binomial model also incorporates exercise and forfeiture assumptions based on an analysis of historical data. The expected life of the stock-based awards is derived from the output of the binomial model and represents the period of time that awards granted are expected to be outstanding.

The fair values of stock-based awards granted were estimated at the dates of grant with the following weighted-average assumptions.

	Three Months Ended
	March 28, 2020		March 30, 2019
Volatility rate	9.7	%	9.9	%
Risk-free interest rate	.6	%	2.5	%
Expected dividend yield	.4	%	.7	%
Expected life of awards (years)	6.2		7.4

General Stock Option Information--The following table summarizes activity under the stock option plans for the three months ended March 28, 2020.

Stock Options	Number of Options Outstanding		Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding, January 1, 2020	1,428,082		$	15.13
Granted	28,397		24.20
Exercised	—		—
Forfeited	(7,335	)	15.34
Outstanding, March 28, 2020	1,449,144		$	15.30	5.5 years	$	12,897
Exercisable, March 28, 2020	936,457		$	13.43	4.3 years	$	10,082

As of March 28, 2020, there was approximately $1,286 of unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options outstanding. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.3 years. “Intrinsic value” is defined as the amount by which the market price of a common share exceeds the exercise price of an option. 

Common shares are issued from treasury upon the exercise of stock options, SSARs, RSUs, PRSUs or purchases under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

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Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity Statement - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Shares	Additional paid-in capital	Common shares subscribed, unissued	Retained earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	Common shares held in treasury	Common shares subscription receivable
Stockholders' equity	$ (43,361)	$ (37,272)	$ (82,623)	$ (6,799)	$ (157,472)	$ 5,034	$ 235,042	$ 729
Net income (loss)	(493)
Change in 401KSOP and ESOP related shares	(4,102)	(195)	(3,907)
Shares sold to employees	4,409		1,953				2,456
Options exercised	67		(14)				81
Subscription shares	157		(75)	(391)			465	158
Stock-based compensation	$ 621		621
Dividends, per share	$ 0.025
Dividends	$ (590)				(590)
Currency translation adjustments	509					509
Defined benefit pension plans	44					44
Shares purchased	(4,430)						4,430
Stockholders' equity	(39,553)	(37,077)	(81,201)	(6,408)	(156,389)	4,481	(236,470)	(571)
Stockholders' equity	(61,905)	(37,767)	(96,366)	0	(179,770)	5,403	246,595	0
Net income (loss)	173
Change in 401KSOP and ESOP related shares	(2,160)	(89)	(2,071)
Shares sold to employees	5,004		2,566				2,438
Options exercised	211		15				196
Stock-based compensation	$ 371		371
Dividends, per share	$ 0.025
Dividends	$ (575)				(575)
Currency translation adjustments	(1,971)					(1,971)
Defined benefit pension plans	28					28
Shares purchased	(8,061)						8,061
Stockholders' equity	$ (54,925)	$ (37,678)	$ (97,247)	$ 0	$ (179,368)	$ 7,346	$ (252,022)	$ 0

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Business Combinations (Notes)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2020

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Business Combinations

Business Combinations

Our investments in businesses during the first three months of 2020 were $2,740, including liabilities assumed of $380 and debt issued, in the form of notes payable to the sellers, of $534, and have been included in our Residential and Commercial segment. Measurement-period adjustments are not complete. The measurement period for purchase price allocations ends as soon as information of the facts and circumstances becomes available, but does not exceed one year from the acquisition date. During the three months ended March 30, 2019, our investment in businesses was $4,056, including liabilities assumed of $245 and debt issued, in the form of notes payable to the sellers, of $895.

The following table summarizes the preliminary purchase price allocation of the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed:

	March 28, 2020			December 31, 2019
Detail of acquisitions:
Assets acquired:
Cash	$	—		$	3
Receivables	—			2,332
Operating supplies	23			84
Prepaid expense	—			27
Equipment	426			1,837
Deposits and other	—			96
Intangibles	935			4,067
Goodwill	1,356			4,174
Liabilities assumed	(380		)	(1,479		)
Debt issued for purchases of businesses	(534		)	(2,612		)
Cash paid	$	1,826		$	8,529

The results of operations of acquired businesses have been included in the condensed consolidated statements of operations beginning as of the effective dates of acquisition. The effect of these acquisitions on our consolidated revenues and results of operations for the period ended March 28, 2020 was not significant. Pro forma net sales and results of operations for the acquisitions, had they occurred at the beginning of the three months ended March 28, 2020, are not material and, accordingly, are not provided.

The acquired intangible assets consist of tradenames, non-competition agreements and customer relationships. The tradenames and customer relationships were assigned an average useful life of six years and the non-competition agreements were assigned an average useful life of five years.

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Per Share Amounts and Common Shares Outstanding (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2020

Equity [Abstract]

Schedule of earnings per share, basic and diluted [Table Text Block]

The per share amounts were computed as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 28, 2020		March 30, 2019
Income available to common shareholders:
Net income (loss)	$	173	$	(493	)
Weighted-average shares:
Basic:
Outstanding	23,187		22,910
Partially-paid share subscriptions	—		162
Basic weighted-average shares	23,187		23,072
Diluted:
Basic from above	23,187		23,072
Incremental shares from assumed:
Exercise of stock subscription purchase rights	—		119
Exercise of stock options and awards	984		827
Diluted weighted-average shares	24,171		24,018
Net income (loss) per share:
Basic	$	.01	$	(.02	)
Diluted	$	.01	$	(.02	)

Schedule of common and redeemable shares outstanding [Table Text Block]

A summary of the activity of the common and redeemable shares outstanding for the three months ended March 28, 2020 follows:

	Common Shares Net of Treasury Shares		Redeemable Shares		Total
Shares outstanding at January 1, 2020	18,029,921		5,146,882		23,176,803
Shares purchased	(215,384	)	(117,918	)	(333,302	)
Shares sold	110		207,194		207,304
Options and awards exercised	15,669		—		15,669
Shares outstanding at March 28, 2020	17,830,316		5,236,158		23,066,474

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Leases (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2020

Leases [Abstract]

Schedule of assets and liabilities, leases [Table Text Block]

The following table summarizes the amounts recognized in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet related to leases:

	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Classification	March 28, 2020		December 31, 2019
Assets
Operating lease assets	Right-of-use assets - operating leases	$	49,787	$	40,033
Finance lease assets	Property and equipment, net	2,832		3,183
Total lease assets		$	52,619	$	43,216
Liabilities
Current operating lease liabilities	Other current liabilities	$	16,920	$	14,665
Non-current operating lease liabilities	Lease liabilities - operating leases	32,712		25,200
Total operating lease liabilities		49,632		39,865
Current portion of finance lease liabilities	Current portion of long-term debt and finance lease liabilities	1,332		1,348
Non-current finance lease liabilities	Lease liabilities - finance leases	1,104		1,795
Total finance lease liabilities		2,436		3,143
Total lease liabilities		$	52,068	$	43,008

Income and expenses, lessee [Table Text Block]

The components of lease cost recognized within our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations were as follows:

		Three Months Ended
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations Classification	March 28, 2020		March 30, 2019
Operating lease cost	Operating expense	$	2,239	$	1,438
Operating lease cost	Selling expense	2,393		2,167
Operating lease cost	General and administrative expense	234		201
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets	Depreciation and amortization	351		345
Interest expense on lease liabilities	Interest expense	23		34
Other lease cost (1)	Operating expense	1,767		719
Other lease cost (1)	Selling expense	371		346
Other lease cost (1)	General and administrative expense	9		2
Total lease cost		$	7,387	$	5,252

Schedule of remaining weighted average lease term [Table Text Block]

The table below summarizes the weighted average remaining lease term as of March 28, 2020.

Operating leases	4.2 years
Finance leases	2.7 years

Schedule of lease weighted average discount rate [Table Text Block]

The table below summarizes the weighted average discount rate used to measure our lease liabilities as of March 28, 2020.

Operating leases	3.45	%
Finance leases	3.05	%

Supplemental cash flow information, leases [Table Text Block]

Supplemental Cash Flow Information Related to Leases

	Three Months Ended
	March 28, 2020			March 30, 2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	(4,902	)	$	(3,750	)
Operating cash flows from finance leases	(23		)	(34		)
Financing cash flows from finance leases	(707		)	(690		)
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Operating leases	14,845			40,311

Finance and operating lease, liability, maturity [Table Text Block]

Maturity Analysis of Lease Liabilities

	As of March 28, 2020
	Operating Leases		Finance Leases
Remaining nine months of 2020	$	13,577	$	700
2021	14,394		1,246
2022	10,785		320
2023	5,730		120
2024	3,450		49
Thereafter	5,545		91
Total lease payments	53,481		2,526
Less interest	3,849		90
Total	$	49,632	$	2,436

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Leases Maturity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 28, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Remaining nine months of 2020	$ 13,577
2021	14,394
2022	10,785
2023	5,730
2024	3,450
Thereafter	5,545
Total lease payments	53,481
Less interest	3,849
Total	49,632	$ 39,865
Remaining nine months of 2020	700
2021	1,246
2022	320
2023	120
2024	49
Thereafter	91
Total lease payments	2,526
Less interest	90
Total	$ 2,436	$ 3,143

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2020	Mar. 30, 2019
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ (5,403)	$ (5,034)
Unrealized gains (losses)	(1,971)	509
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	38	60
Tax effect	(10)	(16)
Net of tax amount	(1,943)	553
Ending balance	(7,346)	(4,481)
Foreign currency translation adjustments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning balance	(4,633)	(5,819)
Unrealized gains (losses)	(1,971)	509
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0
Tax effect	0	0
Net of tax amount	(1,971)	509
Ending balance	(6,604)	(5,310)
Defined benefit pension plans [member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning balance	(770)	785
Unrealized gains (losses)	0	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	38	60
Tax effect	(10)	(16)
Net of tax amount	28	44
Ending balance	$ (742)	$ 829

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2020	Mar. 30, 2019
Operating activities
Net income (loss)	$ 173	$ (493)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	14,604	14,212
Other	810	152
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of assets acquired:
Accounts receivable	(17,161)	1,934
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(7,532)	(12,777)
Self-insurance reserve	4,408	(1,265)
Prepaid expenses	8,176	3,815
Other, net	(710)	5,850
Total changes in operating assets and liabilities	2,595	11,921
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,768	11,428
Capital expenditures:
Equipment	(18,960)	(22,660)
Land and buildings	747	150
Purchases of businesses, net of cash acquired	(1,826)	(2,916)
Proceeds from sales of fixed assets	521	749
Net cash used in investing activities	(21,012)	(24,977)
Financing activities
Revolving credit facility borrowings	244,500	174,000
Revolving credit facility payments	(163,500)	(178,000)
Purchase of common shares for treasury	(8,061)	(4,430)
Sale of common shares from treasury	5,216	4,633
Dividends paid	(575)	(590)
Proceeds from notes payable	27,166	33,152
Payments of notes payable	(29,866)	(10,482)
Payments of finance leases	(707)	(719)
Net cash provided by financing activities	74,173	17,564
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(100)	(12)
Increase in cash	55,829	4,003
Cash, beginning of period	11,000	22,661
Cash, end of period	66,829	26,664
Supplemental cash flow information follows:
Interest Paid, Excluding Capitalized Interest, Operating Activities	2,707	2,938
Income taxes paid	$ 1,910	$ 137

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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

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Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 28, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Current assets:
Cash	$ 66,829	$ 11,000
Accounts receivable, net	247,667	231,311
Operating supplies	12,493	12,127
Other current assets	19,523	26,987
Total current assets	346,512	281,425
Property and equipment	676,771	667,895
Less accumulated depreciation	473,789	468,045
Property and equipment, net	202,982	199,850
Right-of-use assets - operating leases	49,787	40,033
Other assets	20,994	22,335
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	11,095	10,934
Goodwill	43,780	42,285
Total assets	675,150	596,862
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	46,052	41,191
Accrued expenses	38,231	52,431
Current portion of long-term debt and finance lease liabilities	22,107	24,650
Other current liabilities	54,295	47,400
Total current liabilities	160,685	165,672
Long-term debt	220,084	143,354
Lease liabilities - finance leases	1,104	1,795
Lease liabilities - operating leases	32,712	25,200
Self-insurance reserve	66,530	62,113
Other noncurrent liabilities	12,395	12,268
Total liabilities	493,510	410,402
Redeemable common shares related to 401KSOP and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP); 5,236 and 5,147 shares at redemption value as of March 28, 2020 and December 31, 2019	126,715	124,555
Common shareholders' equity:
Common shares, $1.00 par value, per share; 48,000 shares authorized; 37,678 and 37,767 shares issued and outstanding before deducting treasury shares and which excludes 5,236 and 5,147 shares subject to redemption as of March 28, 2020 and December 31, 2019	37,678	37,767
Additional paid-in capital	97,247	96,366
Retained earnings	179,368	179,770
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(7,346)	(5,403)
Shareholders' equity before treasury stock	306,947	308,500
Less: Cost of common shares held in treasury; 19,848 shares at March 28, 2020 and 19,737 shares at December 31, 2019	252,022	246,595
Total common shareholders' equity	54,925	61,905
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 675,150	$ 596,862

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Basis of Financial Statement Preparation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2020

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of financial statement preparation [Text Block]

Basis of Financial Statement Preparation

The condensed consolidated financial statements present the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of The Davey Tree Expert Company and its subsidiaries. When we refer to “we,” “us,” “our,” “Davey,” or “Davey Tree”, we mean The Davey Tree Expert Company and its subsidiaries, unless otherwise expressly stated or the context indicates otherwise.

We have prepared the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”), as codified in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”), and with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim financial information. The condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Certain information and disclosures required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements have been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. We suggest that these condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 (the “2019 Annual Report”).

Use of Estimates in Financial Statement Preparation--The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts. Our condensed consolidated financial statements include amounts that are based on management’s best estimates and judgments. Estimates are used for, but not limited to, accounts receivable valuation, depreciable lives of fixed assets, self-insurance reserves, income taxes and revenue recognition. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

While the recent outbreak of the coronavirus ("COVID-19") did not have a material adverse effect on our reported results for our fiscal first quarter, the overall extent and duration of COVID-19 on businesses and economic activity generally remains unclear. The extent to which our operations may be impacted by COVID-19 will depend largely on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be accurately predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of the outbreak and actions by government authorities to contain the pandemic or treat its impact, among other things.

The Company’s fiscal quarters each contain thirteen operating weeks, with the exception of the fourth quarter of a 53-week fiscal year, which contains fourteen operating weeks. The Company’s fiscal quarter that ended March 28, 2020 is referred to as the first quarter of 2020, and the fiscal quarter ended March 30, 2019 is referred to as the first quarter of 2019.

Recent Accounting Guidance

Accounting Standards Adopted in 2020

Accounting Standards Update 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326)--In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326)." ASU 2016-13 replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in current GAAP for most financial instruments, including trade receivables, with an impairment model, known as the current expected credit loss model that is

based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. The Company adopted the new standard effective January 1, 2020, and it did not have a material effect on the Company's results of operations.

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

Accounting Standards Update 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740)– Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes--In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (ASU 2019-12), which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in ASC 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. ASU 2019-12 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including applicable interim periods. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

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Identified Intangible Assets and Goodwill, Net

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2020

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Identified intangible assets and goodwill, net [Text Block]

Identified Intangible Assets and Goodwill, Net

The carrying amounts of the identified intangible assets and goodwill acquired in connection with our acquisitions were as follows:

	March 28, 2020				December 31, 2019
	Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Amortized intangible assets:
Customer lists/relationships	$	28,478	$	20,024	$	28,301	$	20,024
Employment-related	8,485		7,448		8,391		7,348
Tradenames	7,393		5,789		7,402		5,788
Amortized intangible assets	44,356		$	33,261	44,094		$	33,160
Less accumulated amortization	33,261				33,160
Identified intangible assets, net	$	11,095			$	10,934
Goodwill	$	43,780			$	42,285

The changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill, by segment, for the three months ended March 28, 2020 and March 30, 2019 follow:

	Balance at January 1, 2020		Acquisitions		Translation and Other Adjustments		Balance at March 28, 2020
Utility	$	4,911	$	—	$	—	$	4,911
Residential and Commercial	37,374		1,356		139		38,869
Total	$	42,285	$	1,356	$	139	$	43,780
	Balance at January 1, 2019		Acquisitions		Translation and Other Adjustments		Balance at March 30, 2019
Utility	$	4,911	$	—	$	—	$	4,911
Residential and Commercial	33,060		1,232		125		34,417
Total	$	37,971	$	1,232	$	125	$	39,328

Estimated future aggregate amortization expense of intangible assets--The estimated future aggregate amortization expense of intangible assets, as of March 28, 2020 is as follows:

	Estimated Future Amortization Expense
Remaining nine months of 2020	$	2,053
2021	2,325
2022	2,020
2023	1,888
2024	1,431
Thereafter	1,377
	$	11,095

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Net Periodic Benefit Expense - Defined Benefit Pension Plans

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2020

Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) [Abstract]

Net periodic benefit expense--defined benefit pension plans [Text Block]

Net Periodic Benefit Expense--Defined Benefit Pension Plans

The results of operations included the following net periodic benefit expense (income) recognized related to our defined-benefit pension plans.

	Three Months Ended
	March 28, 2020		March 30, 2019
Components of pension expense (income)
Service costs--increase in benefit obligation earned	$	—	$	45
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	26		75
Expected return on plan assets	—		(23		)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	22		44
Amortization of prior service cost	16		16
Net pension expense of defined benefit pension plans	$	64	$	157

During April 2019, we entered into an agreement to purchase a guaranteed group annuity contract from a third-party insurance company which unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees the full-payment of all annuity payments to the remaining 231 participants in our Employee Retirement Plan (“ERP”) for which benefits were frozen effective December 31, 2008. The April 2019 agreement transferred all remaining ERP benefit obligations to the third-party insurance company, resulting in a pretax actuarial settlement loss of $1,677.

The components of net periodic benefit expense, other than the service cost component, are included in the line item other income (expense) in the statement of operations.

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2020

Equity [Abstract]

Schedule of other comprehensive income (loss) [Table Text Block]

The following summarizes the components of other comprehensive income (loss) accumulated in shareholders’ equity for the three months ended March 28, 2020 and the three months ended March 30, 2019:

Three Months Ended March 28, 2020	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Defined Benefit Pension Plans			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance at January 1, 2020	$	(4,633	)	$	(770	)	$	(5,403	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
Unrealized gains (losses)	(1,971		)	—			(1,971		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	—			38			38
Tax effect	—			(10		)	(10		)
Net of tax amount	(1,971		)	28			(1,943		)
Balance at March 28, 2020	$	(6,604	)	$	(742	)	$	(7,346	)

Three Months Ended March 30, 2019	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Defined Benefit Pension Plans			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance at January 1, 2019	$	(5,819	)	$	785		$	(5,034	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
Unrealized gains (losses)	509			—			509
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	—			60			60
Tax effect	—			(16		)	(16		)
Net of tax amount	509			44			553
Balance at March 30, 2019	$	(5,310	)	$	829		$	(4,481	)

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Long-Term Debt and Commitments Related to Letters of Credit (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2020

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of long-term debt [Table Text Block]

Our long-term debt consisted of the following:

	March 28, 2020		December 31, 2019
Revolving credit facility:
Swing-line borrowings	$	20,000	$	10,000
LIBOR borrowings	123,000		52,000
	143,000		62,000
Senior unsecured notes:
5.09% Senior unsecured notes	6,000		6,000
3.99% Senior unsecured notes	50,000		50,000
4.00% Senior unsecured notes	25,000		25,000
	81,000		81,000
Term loans	17,232		24,076
	241,232		167,076
Less debt issuance costs	373		420
Less current portion	20,775		23,302
	$	220,084	$	143,354

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Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2020	Mar. 30, 2019
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, percentage of outstanding stock maximum	5.00%
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, percentage of outstanding and available for grant, maximum	10.00%
Compensation expense, share-based payment plans	$ 745	$ 753
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Volatility rate	9.70%	9.90%
Risk-free interest rate	0.60%	2.50%
Expected dividend yield	0.40%	0.70%
Expected life of awards (years)	6 years 2 months 12 days	7 years 4 months 24 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Exercisable, ending balance	936,457
Stock option plans [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation expense, share-based payment plans	$ 126	$ 149
Stock options awarded, term (years)	10 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Outstanding, beginning balance	1,428,082
Granted	28,397
Exercised	0
Forfeited	(7,335)
Outstanding, ending balance	1,449,144
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Outstanding, weighted average exercise price, beginning balance	$ 15.13
Granted, weighted average exercise price	24.20
Exercised, weighted average exercise price	0
Forfeited, weighted average exercise price	15.34
Outstanding, weighted average exercise price, ending balance	15.30
Exercisable, weighted average exercise price, ending balance	$ 13.43
Outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	5 years 6 months
Exercisable, weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	4 years 3 months 18 days
Outstanding, aggregate intrinsic value	$ 12,897
Exercisable, aggregate intrinsic value	10,082
Outstanding, unrecognized compensation cost	$ 1,286
Employee service share-based compensation, nonvested awards, total compensation cost not yet recognized, period for recognition	3 years 3 months 18 days
Stock-settled stock appreciation rights (SSARs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation expense, share-based payment plans	$ 61	95
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]
Unvested, beginning balance	262,705
Granted	0
Forfeited	(2,254)
Vested	(113,757)
Unvested, ending balance	146,694
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Unvested, weighted average award date value, beginning balance	$ 3.47
Granted, weighted average award date value	0
Forfeited, weighted average award date value	3.53
Vested, weighted average award date value	3.31
Unvested, weighted average award date value, ending balance	$ 3.59
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	1 year 7 months 6 days
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 462
Aggregate intrinsic value	3,550
Restricted stock units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation expense, share-based payment plans	$ 216	233
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]
Unvested, beginning balance	224,259
Granted	86,959
Forfeited	(1,871)
Vested	(49,518)
Unvested, ending balance	259,829
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Unvested, weighted average award date value, beginning balance	$ 17.11
Granted, weighted average award date value	23.72
Forfeited, weighted average award date value	17.37
Vested, weighted average award date value	14.54
Unvested, weighted average award date value, ending balance	$ 19.81
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	3 years
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 3,444
Aggregate intrinsic value	$ 6,288
Employee PRSUs [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]
Granted	86,959
Unvested, ending balance	228,407
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Unvested, weighted average award date value, ending balance	$ 19.92
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	3 years 6 months
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 3,176
Aggregate intrinsic value	$ 5,528
Nonemployee Director RSUs [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]
Unvested, ending balance	31,422
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Unvested, weighted average award date value, ending balance	$ 19.01
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	1 year 1 month 6 days
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 268
Aggregate intrinsic value	760
The Davey Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation expense, share-based payment plans	$ 342	$ 276
Employee stock purchase plan, service period	1 year
Employee stock purchase plan, percentage of market price, purchase date	85.00%
Employee stock purchase plan, discount from market price, purchase date	15.00%

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Per Share Amounts and Common Shares Outstanding (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2020	Mar. 30, 2019
Equity [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 173	$ (493)
Weighted-average shares outstanding, basic	23,187,000	22,910,000
Weighted-average shares, partially-paid share subscriptions	0	162,000
Basic weighted average shares	23,187,000	23,072,000
Incremental shares from assumed exercise of stock subscription purchase rights	0	119,000
Incremental shares from assumed exercise of stock options and awards	984,000	827,000
Diluted weighted-average shares	24,171,000	24,018,000
Net income per share basic	$ 0.01	$ (0.02)
Net income per share diluted	$ 0.01	$ (0.02)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Shares outstanding at January 1, 2020	23,176,803
Shares purchased	(333,302)
Shares sold	207,304
Options and awards exercised	15,669
Shares outstanding at March 28, 2020	23,066,474
Employee options exercisable	936,457
Common shares, net of treasury shares [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Shares outstanding at January 1, 2020	18,029,921
Shares purchased	(215,384)
Shares sold	110
Options and awards exercised	15,669
Shares outstanding at March 28, 2020	17,830,316
Redeemable shares [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Shares outstanding at January 1, 2020	5,146,882
Shares purchased	(117,918)
Shares sold	207,194
Options and awards exercised	0
Shares outstanding at March 28, 2020	5,236,158

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Cover Page Entity type	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2020
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity filer category	Accelerated Filer
Entity emerging growth company	false
Entity small business	false
Entity shell company	false

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2020	Mar. 30, 2019
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 173	$ (493)
Components of other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	1,971	(509)
Amortization of defined benefit pension items:
Net actuarial loss	16	32
Prior service cost	12	12
Defined benefit pension plan adjustments	28	44
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(1,943)	553
Comprehensive (loss) income	$ (1,770)	$ 60

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Long-Term Debt and Commitments Related to Letters of Credit (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2020 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility, current borrowing capacity	$ 250,000
Revolving credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	325,000
Unused commitments under credit facility	104,123
Revolving credit facility borrowings	$ 143,000	$ 62,000
Number of principal payments	5
Long-term debt, maturities, repayments of principal in next twelve months	$ 15,932
Long-term debt, maturities, repayments of principal in year two	6,170
Long-term debt, maturities, repayments of principal in year three	143,939
Long-term debt, maturities, repayments of principal in year four	191
Long-term debt, maturities, repayments of principal in year five	15,000
Long-term debt, maturities, repayments of principal after year five	$ 60,000
Anniversary when principal payments begin	6
Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, unused capacity, commitment fee percentage	0.10%
Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, unused capacity, commitment fee percentage	0.225%
Swing-line borrowings [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility, current borrowing capacity	$ 25,000
Revolving credit facility borrowings	$ 20,000	10,000
Revolving credit facility [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest coverage ratio	3.00
Revolving credit facility [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Ratio of Indebtedness to Net Capital	3.00
5.09% Senior unsecured notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	5.09%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 30,000
3.99% Senior unsecured notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	3.99%
Unsecured debt maximum borrowing capacity allowed by credit facility	$ 75,000
Unsecured debt additional shelf note capacity	50,000
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	50,000
Unsecured debt additional shelf note capacity allowed by credit facility	$ 25,000
4.00% Senior unsecured notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	4.00%
Unsecured debt additional shelf note capacity	$ 25,000
Accounts receivable securitization [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	0.90%
Unused commitment fee threshold percent	0.50
Debt instrument variable rate base rate calculation, default rate	2.00%
Accounts receivable securitization [Member] | Base Rate, Federal Funds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding borrowings interest rate margin adjustment, range	0.50%
Line of credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility borrowings	$ 145,877
Line of credit [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding borrowings interest rate margin adjustment, range	1.50%
Line of credit [Member] | Base Rate, Federal Funds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding borrowings interest rate margin adjustment, range	0.50%
Line of credit [Member] | Minimum [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding borrowings interest rate margin adjustment, range	0.875%
Line of credit [Member] | Maximum [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding borrowings interest rate margin adjustment, range	1.50%
Letter of credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Letters of credit issued	$ 81,618	81,619
Letter of credit [Member] | Revolving credit facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Letters of credit issued	2,877	2,877
Letter of credit [Member] | Accounts receivable securitization [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	100,000
Letters of credit issued	$ 76,732	76,732
Letter of credit [Member] | Accounts receivable securitization [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, unused capacity, commitment fee percentage	0.35%
Letter of credit [Member] | Accounts receivable securitization [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, unused capacity, commitment fee percentage	0.45%
Letter of credit [Member] | Line of credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Letters of credit issued	$ 2,009	$ 2,010
Letter of credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	$ 100,000

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Business Combinations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2020	Mar. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Investment in businesses	$ 2,740	$ 4,056
Liabilities assumed	380	245	$ 1,479
Debt issued for purchases of businesses	534	895	2,612
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	1,826		8,529
Cash	0		3
Receivables	0		2,332
Operating supplies	23		84
Prepaid expense	0		27
Equipment	426		1,837
Deposits and other	0		96
Intangibles	935		4,067
Goodwill	$ 1,356	$ 1,232	$ 4,174
Tradenames [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	6 years
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	5 years

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Revenue Recognition Contract with customer, asset and liability (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2020	Mar. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Liability recognized in revenue	$ 942	$ 1,080
Contract liabilities - current	4,320		$ 3,129
Contract liabilities - noncurrent	2,787		2,705
Net contract liabilities	$ 7,107		$ 5,834

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The Davey 401KSOP and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Disclosures [Line Items]
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), initial shares in ESOP	120,000
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), shares adjusted for stock split	23,040,000
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), initial value in ESOP	$ 2,700
Defined contribution plan, employer matching contribution, percent of employees' gross pay	2.00%
Defined contribution plan, eligible age	21 years
Defined contribution plan, service requirement for eligibility	1 year
Number of put option periods	2
Duration of put option periods	60 days
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), fair value of shares subject to repurchase obligation	$ 2,272	$ 4,749
Company shares held in 401KSOP shares, fair value	124,443	119,806
Redeemable common shares related to 401KSOP and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP); 5,236 and 5,147 shares at redemption value as of March 28, 2020 and December 31, 2019	$ 126,715	$ 124,555
Defined Contribution Plan, Tier 1 [Member]
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined contribution plan, employer matching contribution, percent of employees' gross pay	100.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Tier 2 [Member]
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined contribution plan, employer matching contribution, percent of employees' gross pay	50.00%
Maximum [Member] | Defined Contribution Plan, Tier 1 [Member]
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined contribution plan, employer matching contribution, percent of employees' gross pay	3.00%
Maximum [Member] | Defined Contribution Plan, Tier 2 [Member]
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined contribution plan, employer matching contribution, percent of employees' gross pay	5.00%

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Operations by Business Segment

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2020

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Operations by business segment [Text Block]

Operations by Business Segment

We provide a wide range of arboricultural, horticultural, environmental and consulting services to residential, utility, commercial and government entities throughout the United States and Canada. We have two reportable operating segments organized by type or class of customer: Residential and Commercial, and Utility.

Residential and Commercial--Residential and Commercial provides services to our residential and commercial customers including: the treatment, preservation, maintenance, removal and planting of trees, shrubs and other plant life; the practice of landscaping, grounds maintenance, tree surgery, tree feeding and tree spraying; the application of fertilizer, herbicides and insecticides; and natural resource management and consulting, forestry research and development, and environmental planning.

Utility--Utility is principally engaged in providing services to our utility customers--investor-owned, municipal utilities, and rural electric cooperatives--including: the practice of line-clearing and vegetation management around power lines and rights-of-way and chemical brush control; and natural resource management and consulting, forestry research and development, and environmental planning.

All other operating activities, including research, technical support and laboratory diagnostic facilities, are included in “All Other.”

Measurement of Segment Profit and Loss and Segment Assets--We evaluate performance and allocate resources based primarily on operating income and also actively manage business unit operating assets. Segment information, including reconciling adjustments, is presented consistent with the basis described in our 2019 Annual Report.    

Segment information reconciled to the condensed consolidated financial statements follows:

	Utility		Residential and Commercial			All Other			Reconciling Adjustments				Consolidated
Three Months Ended March 28, 2020
Revenues	$	185,749	$	101,953		$	578		$	—			$	288,280
Income (loss) from operations	15,632		(5,661		)	(4,695		)	(1,342		)	(a)	3,934
Interest expense									(1,946		)		(1,946		)
Interest income									101				101
Other income (expense), net									(1,899		)		(1,899		)
Income before income taxes													$	190
Segment assets, total	$	291,426	$	221,956		$	—		$	161,768		(b)	$	675,150
Three Months Ended March 30, 2019
Revenues	$	140,469	$	107,395		$	25		$	—			$	247,889
Income (loss) from operations	5,880		507			(2,968		)	(453		)	(a)	2,966
Interest expense									(2,151		)		(2,151		)
Interest income									83				83
Other income (expense), net									(1,655		)		(1,655		)
Loss before income tax benefit													$	(757	)
Segment assets, total	$	231,060	$	217,044		$	—		$	117,374		(b)	$	565,478

Reconciling adjustments from segment reporting to the condensed consolidated financial statements include unallocated corporate items:

(a) Reclassification of depreciation expense and allocation of corporate expenses.

(b)

Corporate assets include cash, prepaid expenses, corporate facilities, enterprise-wide information systems and other nonoperating assets.

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The Davey 401KSOP and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (Notes)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2020

The Davey 401KSOP and Employee Stock Ownership Plan [Abstract]

The Davey 401KSOP and Employee Stock Ownership Plan [Text Block]

The Davey 401KSOP and Employee Stock Ownership Plan

On March 15, 1979, the Company consummated a plan, which transferred control of the Company to its employees. As a part of this plan, the Company initially sold 120,000 common shares (presently, 23,040,000 common shares adjusted for stock splits) to its Employee Stock Ownership Trust (“ESOT”) for $2,700. The Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”), in conjunction with the related ESOT, provided for the grant to certain employees of certain ownership rights in, but not possession of, the common shares held by the trustee of the ESOT. Annual allocations of shares have been made to individual accounts established for the benefit of the participants.

Defined Contribution and Savings Plans--Most employees are eligible to participate in The Davey 401KSOP and ESOP Plan. Effective January 1, 1997, the plan commenced operations and retained the existing ESOP participant accounts and incorporated a deferred savings plan (a “401(k) plan”) feature. Participants in the 401(k) plan are allowed to make before-tax contributions, within Internal Revenue Service established limits, through payroll deductions. Effective January 1, 2020, we match, in either cash or our common shares, 100% of the first three percent and 50% of the next two percent of each participant's before-tax contribution, limited to the first five percent of the employee’s compensation deferred each year. All nonbargaining domestic employees who attained age 21 and completed one year of service are eligible

to participate. In May 2004, we adopted the 401K Match Restoration Plan, a defined contribution plan that supplements the retirement benefits of certain employees that participate in the savings plan feature of The Davey 401KSOP and ESOP Plan, but are limited in contributions because of tax rules and regulations.

Our common shares are not listed or traded on an established public trading market, and market prices are, therefore, not available. Semiannually, an independent stock valuation firm determines the fair market value of our common shares based upon our performance and financial condition. The Davey 401KSOP and ESOP Plan includes a put option for shares of the Company’s common stock distributed from the plan. Shares are distributed from the Davey 401KSOP and ESOP Plan to former participants of the plan, their beneficiaries, donees or heirs (each, a “participant”). Since our common stock is not currently traded on an established securities market, if the owners of distributed shares desire to sell their shares, the Company is required to purchase the shares at fair value for two 60-day periods after distribution of the shares from the Davey 401KSOP and ESOP. The fair value of distributed shares subject to the put option totaled $2,272 and $4,749 as of March 28, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. The fair value of the shares held in the Davey 401KSOP and ESOP totaled $124,443 and $119,806 as of March 28, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Due to the Company’s obligation under the put option, the distributed shares subject to the put option and the shares held in the Davey 401KSOP and ESOP (collectively referred to as 401KSOP and ESOP related shares) are recorded at fair value, classified as temporary equity in the mezzanine section of the consolidated balance sheets and totaled $126,715 and $124,555 as of March 28, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Changes in the fair value of the 401KSOP and ESOP Plan related shares are reflected in retained earnings while net share activity associated with 401KSOP and ESOP Plan related shares are first reflected in additional paid-in capital and then retained earnings if additional paid-in capital is insufficient.

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Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2020

Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]

Schedule of stock-based compensation expense under all share-based payment plans [Table Text Block]

Stock-based compensation expense under all share-based payment plans -- our Employee Stock Purchase Plan, stock option plans, stock-settled stock appreciation rights ("SSARs") and restricted stock units ("RSUs") -- was included in the results of operations as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 28, 2020		March 30, 2019
Compensation expense, all share-based payment plans	$	745	$	753

Schedule of share-based compensation, stock-settled stock appreciation rights award activity [Table Text Block]

The following table summarizes our SSARs as of March 28, 2020.

Stock-Settled Stock Appreciation Rights	Number of Rights		Weighted- Average Award Date Value		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life	Unrecognized Compensation Cost		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Unvested, January 1, 2020	262,705		$	3.47
Granted	—		—
Forfeited	(2,254	)	3.53
Vested	(113,757	)	3.31
Unvested, March 28, 2020	146,694		$	3.59	1.6 years	$	462	$	3,550

Schedule of share-based compensation, restricted stock units award activity [Table Text Block]

The following table summarizes PRSUs and RSUs as of March 28, 2020.

Restricted Stock Units	Number of Stock Units		Weighted- Average Grant Date Value		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life	Unrecognized Compensation Cost		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Unvested, January 1, 2020	224,259		$	17.11
Granted	86,959		23.72
Forfeited	(1,871	)	17.37
Vested	(49,518	)	14.54
Unvested, March 28, 2020	259,829		$	19.81	3.0 years	$	3,444	$	6,288
Employee PRSUs	228,407		$	19.92	3.5 years	$	3,176	$	5,528
Nonemployee Director RSUs	31,422		$	19.01	1.1 years	$	268	$	760

Schedule of share-based payment award, stock options, valuation assumptions [Table Text Block]

The fair values of stock-based awards granted were estimated at the dates of grant with the following weighted-average assumptions.

	Three Months Ended
	March 28, 2020		March 30, 2019
Volatility rate	9.7	%	9.9	%
Risk-free interest rate	.6	%	2.5	%
Expected dividend yield	.4	%	.7	%
Expected life of awards (years)	6.2		7.4

Schedule of share-based compensation, stock options activity [Table Text Block]

The following table summarizes activity under the stock option plans for the three months ended March 28, 2020.

Stock Options	Number of Options Outstanding		Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding, January 1, 2020	1,428,082		$	15.13
Granted	28,397		24.20
Exercised	—		—
Forfeited	(7,335	)	15.34
Outstanding, March 28, 2020	1,449,144		$	15.30	5.5 years	$	12,897
Exercisable, March 28, 2020	936,457		$	13.43	4.3 years	$	10,082

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Business Combinations Business Combinations (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2020

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table Text Block]

The following table summarizes the preliminary purchase price allocation of the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed:

	March 28, 2020			December 31, 2019
Detail of acquisitions:
Assets acquired:
Cash	$	—		$	3
Receivables	—			2,332
Operating supplies	23			84
Prepaid expense	—			27
Equipment	426			1,837
Deposits and other	—			96
Intangibles	935			4,067
Goodwill	1,356			4,174
Liabilities assumed	(380		)	(1,479		)
Debt issued for purchases of businesses	(534		)	(2,612		)
Cash paid	$	1,826		$	8,529

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Operations by Business Segment (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2020

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Schedule of segment reporting information, by segment [Table Text Block]

Segment information reconciled to the condensed consolidated financial statements follows:

	Utility		Residential and Commercial			All Other			Reconciling Adjustments				Consolidated
Three Months Ended March 28, 2020
Revenues	$	185,749	$	101,953		$	578		$	—			$	288,280
Income (loss) from operations	15,632		(5,661		)	(4,695		)	(1,342		)	(a)	3,934
Interest expense									(1,946		)		(1,946		)
Interest income									101				101
Other income (expense), net									(1,899		)		(1,899		)
Income before income taxes													$	190
Segment assets, total	$	291,426	$	221,956		$	—		$	161,768		(b)	$	675,150
Three Months Ended March 30, 2019
Revenues	$	140,469	$	107,395		$	25		$	—			$	247,889
Income (loss) from operations	5,880		507			(2,968		)	(453		)	(a)	2,966
Interest expense									(2,151		)		(2,151		)
Interest income									83				83
Other income (expense), net									(1,655		)		(1,655		)
Loss before income tax benefit													$	(757	)
Segment assets, total	$	231,060	$	217,044		$	—		$	117,374		(b)	$	565,478

Reconciling adjustments from segment reporting to the condensed consolidated financial statements include unallocated corporate items:

(a) Reclassification of depreciation expense and allocation of corporate expenses.

(b)

Corporate assets include cash, prepaid expenses, corporate facilities, enterprise-wide information systems and other nonoperating assets. 

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Accounts Receivable, Net and Supplemental Balance-Sheet Information

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2020

Accounts Receivable, Net and Supplemental Balance-Sheet Information [Abstract] [Abstract]

Accounts receivable net and supplemental balance-sheet information [Text Block]

Accounts Receivable, Net and Supplemental Balance-Sheet Information

Accounts receivable, net, consisted of the following:

Accounts receivable, net	March 28, 2020		December 31, 2019
Accounts receivable	$	168,503	$	176,849
Unbilled Receivables(1)	82,051		58,277
	250,554		235,126
Less allowances for doubtful accounts	2,887		3,815
Accounts receivable, net	$	247,667	$	231,311

⁽¹⁾  Unbilled Receivables consist of work-in-process in accordance with the terms of contracts, primarily with utility services customers.

The following items comprise the amounts included in the balance sheets:

Other current assets	March 28, 2020		December 31, 2019
Refundable income taxes	$	1,366	$	339
Prepaid expense	17,364		25,664
Other	793		984
Total	$	19,523	$	26,987

Property and equipment, net	March 28, 2020		December 31, 2019
Land and land improvements	$	19,106	$	19,270
Buildings and leasehold improvements	44,267		44,414
Equipment	613,398		604,211
	676,771		667,895
Less accumulated depreciation	473,789		468,045
Total	$	202,982	$	199,850

Other assets, noncurrent	March 28, 2020		December 31, 2019
Assets invested for self-insurance	$	14,166	$	15,426
Investment--cost-method affiliate	1,314		1,314
Other	5,514		5,595
Total	$	20,994	$	22,335

Accrued expenses	March 28, 2020		December 31, 2019
Employee compensation	$	12,317	$	26,381
Accrued compensated absences	10,197		10,744
Self-insured medical claims	2,451		1,824
Income tax payable	5,590		6,420
Customer advances, deposits	85		1,674
Taxes, other than income	4,514		1,775
Other	3,077		3,613
Total	$	38,231	$	52,431

Other current liabilities	March 28, 2020		December 31, 2019
Notes payable	$	6,520	$	1,853
Current portion of:
Lease liability-operating leases	16,920		14,665
Self-insurance reserve	30,855		30,882
Total	$	54,295	$	47,400

Other noncurrent liabilities	March 28, 2020		December 31, 2019
Pension and retirement plans	$	6,804	$	6,552
Deferred income taxes	484		567
Other	5,107		5,149
Total	$	12,395	$	12,268

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Leases (Notes)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2019

Leases [Abstract]

Leases of Lessee Disclosure [Text Block]

Leases

We lease certain office and parking facilities, warehouse space, equipment, vehicles and information technology equipment under operating leases. Lease expense for these leases is recognized within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations on a straight-line basis over the lease term, with variable lease payments recognized in the period those payments are incurred. The following table summarizes the amounts recognized in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet related to leases:

	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Classification	March 28, 2020		December 31, 2019
Assets
Operating lease assets	Right-of-use assets - operating leases	$	49,787	$	40,033
Finance lease assets	Property and equipment, net	2,832		3,183
Total lease assets		$	52,619	$	43,216
Liabilities
Current operating lease liabilities	Other current liabilities	$	16,920	$	14,665
Non-current operating lease liabilities	Lease liabilities - operating leases	32,712		25,200
Total operating lease liabilities		49,632		39,865
Current portion of finance lease liabilities	Current portion of long-term debt and finance lease liabilities	1,332		1,348
Non-current finance lease liabilities	Lease liabilities - finance leases	1,104		1,795
Total finance lease liabilities		2,436		3,143
Total lease liabilities		$	52,068	$	43,008

The components of lease cost recognized within our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations were as follows:

		Three Months Ended
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations Classification	March 28, 2020		March 30, 2019
Operating lease cost	Operating expense	$	2,239	$	1,438
Operating lease cost	Selling expense	2,393		2,167
Operating lease cost	General and administrative expense	234		201
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets	Depreciation and amortization	351		345
Interest expense on lease liabilities	Interest expense	23		34
Other lease cost (1)	Operating expense	1,767		719
Other lease cost (1)	Selling expense	371		346
Other lease cost (1)	General and administrative expense	9		2
Total lease cost		$	7,387	$	5,252

⁽¹⁾ Other lease cost includes short-term lease costs and variable lease costs.

We often have options to renew lease terms for buildings and other assets. The exercise of lease renewal options is generally at our sole discretion. In addition, certain lease agreements may be terminated prior to their original expiration date at our discretion. We evaluate each renewal and termination option at the lease commencement date to determine if we are reasonably certain to exercise the option on the basis of economic factors. The table below summarizes the weighted average remaining lease term as of March 28, 2020.

Operating leases	4.2 years
Finance leases	2.7 years

The discount rate implicit within our leases is generally not determinable and therefore the Company determines the discount rate based on its incremental borrowing rate. The incremental borrowing rate for each lease is determined based on its term and the currency in which lease payments are made, adjusted for the impacts of collateral. The table below summarizes the weighted average discount rate used to measure our lease liabilities as of March 28, 2020.

Operating leases	3.45	%
Finance leases	3.05	%

Supplemental Cash Flow Information Related to Leases

	Three Months Ended
	March 28, 2020			March 30, 2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	(4,902	)	$	(3,750	)
Operating cash flows from finance leases	(23		)	(34		)
Financing cash flows from finance leases	(707		)	(690		)
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Operating leases	14,845			40,311

Maturity Analysis of Lease Liabilities

	As of March 28, 2020
	Operating Leases		Finance Leases
Remaining nine months of 2020	$	13,577	$	700
2021	14,394		1,246
2022	10,785		320
2023	5,730		120
2024	3,450		49
Thereafter	5,545		91
Total lease payments	53,481		2,526
Less interest	3,849		90
Total	$	49,632	$	2,436

XML

Cover Page Document - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2020	May 01, 2020
Document Information [Line Items]
Document type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Entity file number	000-11917
Entity registrant name	THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY
Entity current reporting status	Yes
Entity interactive data current	Yes
Entity common stock, shares outstanding		22,817,499
Document period end date	Mar. 28, 2020

XML

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Mar. 28, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common shares, par value	$ 1	$ 1
Common shares, authorized	48,000,000	48,000,000
Common shares, issued	37,677,601	37,766,878
Common shares, outstanding	37,678,000	37,767,000
Common shares held in treasury	19,847,000	19,737,000
Redeemable Shares	5,236,159	5,146,882

XML

Operations by Business Segment (Details) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 28, 2020 USD ($)	Mar. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments		2
Revenues		$ 288,280	$ 247,889
Income (loss) from operations		3,934	2,966
Interest expense		(1,946)	(2,151)
Interest income		101	83
Other income (expense), net		(1,899)	(1,655)
Income before income taxes		190	(757)
Segment assets, total		675,150	565,478	$ 596,862
Utility [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		185,749	140,469
Income (loss) from operations		15,632	5,880
Segment assets, total		291,426	231,060
Residential commercial [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		101,953	107,395
Income (loss) from operations		(5,661)	507
Segment assets, total		221,956	217,044
All other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		578	25
Income (loss) from operations		(4,695)	(2,968)
Segment assets, total		0	0
Reconciling adjustments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		0	0
Income (loss) from operations	[1]	(1,342)	(453)
Interest expense		(1,946)	(2,151)
Interest income		101	83
Other income (expense), net		(1,899)	(1,655)
Segment assets, total	[2]	$ 161,768	$ 117,374

[1] (a) Reclassification of depreciation expense and allocation of corporate expenses

[2] (b) Corporate assets include cash, prepaid expenses, corporate facilities, enterprise-wide information systems and other nonoperating assets.

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Leases Supplemental cash flow information realted to leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2020	Mar. 30, 2019
Cash Flow, Operating Activities, Lessee [Abstract]
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$ (4,902)	$ (3,750)
Operating cash flows from finance leases	(23)	(34)
Cash Flow, Financing Activities, Lessee [Abstract]
Financing cash flows from finance leases	(707)	(719)
Repayments of long term capital leases		690
Lease, Cost [Abstract]
Right-of-use asset obtained in exchange for lease obligations, operating leases	$ 14,845	$ 40,311

XML

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2020	Mar. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Estimated annual effective tax rate	28.50%	28.30%
Effective income tax rate	8.90%	34.80%
Unrecognized tax benefits	$ 1,869		$ 1,850
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate	674		654
Unrecognized tax benefits, interest on income taxes accrued	$ 67		$ 64

XML

Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments Fair value of financial instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 28, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Liabilities, fair value disclosure [Abstract]
Revolving credit facility, noncurrent	$ 143,000	$ 62,000
Carrying value [Member]
Liabilities, fair value disclosure [Abstract]
Revolving credit facility, noncurrent	143,000	62,000
Senior unsecured notes, noncurrent	75,000	75,000
Term loans, noncurrent	2,457	6,774
Total	220,457	143,774
Fair value [Member]
Liabilities, fair value disclosure [Abstract]
Revolving credit facility, noncurrent	143,000	62,000
Senior unsecured notes, noncurrent	84,935	79,558
Term loans, noncurrent	2,820	7,124
Total	$ 230,755	$ 148,682

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Identified Intangible Assets and Goodwill, Net Schedule of Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2020	Mar. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 42,285	$ 37,971	$ 37,971
Goodwill, acquisitions	1,356	1,232	4,174
Goodwill, translation and other adjustments	139	125
Goodwill	43,780	39,328	42,285
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Next Twelve Months	2,053
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two	2,325
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three	2,020
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Four	1,888
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Five	1,431
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, after Year Five	1,377
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	11,095		10,934
Utility [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	4,911	4,911	4,911
Goodwill, acquisitions	0	0
Goodwill, translation and other adjustments	0	0
Goodwill	4,911	4,911	4,911
Residential commercial [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	37,374	33,060	33,060
Goodwill, acquisitions	1,356	1,232
Goodwill, translation and other adjustments	139	125
Goodwill	$ 38,869	$ 34,417	$ 37,374

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Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2020

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis [Table Text Block]

Our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 28, 2020 were as follows:

			Fair Value Measurements at March 28, 2020 Using:
Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis	Total Carrying Value at March 28, 2020		Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Assets invested for self-insurance, classified as other assets, noncurrent	$	14,152	$	14,152	$	—	$	—
Defined benefit pension plan assets	—		—		—		—
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation	$	3,013	$	—	$	3,013	$	—

Our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2019 were as follows:

			Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2019 Using:
Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis	Total Carrying Value at December 31, 2019		Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Assets invested for self-insurance, classified as other assets, noncurrent	$	15,379	$	15,379	$	—	$	—
Defined benefit pension plan assets	3,758		—		3,758		—
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation	$	2,459	$	—	$	2,459	$	—

Financial instruments recorded at historical carrying value [Table Text Block]

Financial instruments classified as noncurrent liabilities and their carrying values and fair values were as follows:

	March 28, 2020				December 31, 2019
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
Revolving credit facility, noncurrent	$	143,000	$	143,000	$	62,000	$	62,000
Senior unsecured notes, noncurrent	75,000		84,935		75,000		79,558
Term loans, noncurrent	2,457		2,820		6,774		7,124
Total	$	220,457	$	230,755	$	143,774	$	148,682

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Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2020	Mar. 30, 2019
Income and expenses, lessee [Line Items]
Finance lease cost, amortization of right-of-use asset	$ 351	$ 345
Finance lease cost, interest expense on lease liabilities	23	34
Total lease cost	7,387	5,252
Operating expense [Member]
Income and expenses, lessee [Line Items]
Operating lease cost	2,239	1,438
Other lease cost	1,767	719
Selling and marketing expense [Member]
Income and expenses, lessee [Line Items]
Operating lease cost	2,393	2,167
Other lease cost	371	346
General and administrative expense [Member]
Income and expenses, lessee [Line Items]
Operating lease cost	234	201
Other lease cost	$ 9	$ 2

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Accounts Receivable, Net and Supplemental Balance-Sheet Information (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2020

Accounts Receivable, Net and Supplemental Balance-Sheet Information [Abstract] [Abstract]

Accounts receivable, net [Table Text Block]

Accounts receivable, net, consisted of the following:

Accounts receivable, net	March 28, 2020		December 31, 2019
Accounts receivable	$	168,503	$	176,849
Unbilled Receivables(1)	82,051		58,277
	250,554		235,126
Less allowances for doubtful accounts	2,887		3,815
Accounts receivable, net	$	247,667	$	231,311

Schedule of Other Current Assets [Table Text Block]

The following items comprise the amounts included in the balance sheets:

Other current assets	March 28, 2020		December 31, 2019
Refundable income taxes	$	1,366	$	339
Prepaid expense	17,364		25,664
Other	793		984
Total	$	19,523	$	26,987

Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]

Property and equipment, net	March 28, 2020		December 31, 2019
Land and land improvements	$	19,106	$	19,270
Buildings and leasehold improvements	44,267		44,414
Equipment	613,398		604,211
	676,771		667,895
Less accumulated depreciation	473,789		468,045
Total	$	202,982	$	199,850

Schedule of Other Assets, Noncurrent [Table Text Block]

Other assets, noncurrent	March 28, 2020		December 31, 2019
Assets invested for self-insurance	$	14,166	$	15,426
Investment--cost-method affiliate	1,314		1,314
Other	5,514		5,595
Total	$	20,994	$	22,335

Accrued expenses [Table Text Block]

Accrued expenses	March 28, 2020		December 31, 2019
Employee compensation	$	12,317	$	26,381
Accrued compensated absences	10,197		10,744
Self-insured medical claims	2,451		1,824
Income tax payable	5,590		6,420
Customer advances, deposits	85		1,674
Taxes, other than income	4,514		1,775
Other	3,077		3,613
Total	$	38,231	$	52,431

Other current liabilities [Table Text Block]

Other current liabilities	March 28, 2020		December 31, 2019
Notes payable	$	6,520	$	1,853
Current portion of:
Lease liability-operating leases	16,920		14,665
Self-insurance reserve	30,855		30,882
Total	$	54,295	$	47,400

Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Table Text Block]

Other noncurrent liabilities	March 28, 2020		December 31, 2019
Pension and retirement plans	$	6,804	$	6,552
Deferred income taxes	484		567
Other	5,107		5,149
Total	$	12,395	$	12,268

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2020

Equity [Abstract]

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Text Block]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (or loss) is comprised of net income (or net loss) and other components, including foreign currency translation adjustments and defined benefit pension plan adjustments.

The following summarizes the components of other comprehensive income (loss) accumulated in shareholders’ equity for the three months ended March 28, 2020 and the three months ended March 30, 2019:

Three Months Ended March 28, 2020	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Defined Benefit Pension Plans			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance at January 1, 2020	$	(4,633	)	$	(770	)	$	(5,403	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
Unrealized gains (losses)	(1,971		)	—			(1,971		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	—			38			38
Tax effect	—			(10		)	(10		)
Net of tax amount	(1,971		)	28			(1,943		)
Balance at March 28, 2020	$	(6,604	)	$	(742	)	$	(7,346	)

Three Months Ended March 30, 2019	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Defined Benefit Pension Plans			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance at January 1, 2019	$	(5,819	)	$	785		$	(5,034	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
Unrealized gains (losses)	509			—			509
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	—			60			60
Tax effect	—			(16		)	(16		)
Net of tax amount	509			44			553
Balance at March 30, 2019	$	(5,310	)	$	829		$	(4,481	)

The change in defined benefit pension plans of $38 for the three months ended March 28, 2020 and $60 for the three months ended March 30, 2019 is included in net periodic pension expense classified in the condensed consolidated statement of operations as general and administrative expense or other income (expense).

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Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2020

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair value measurements and financial instruments

Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments

FASB ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures" (“Topic 820”) defines fair value based on the price that would be received to sell an asset or the exit price that would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Market participants are defined as buyers or sellers in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability that are independent of the reporting entity, knowledgeable and able and willing to transact for the asset or liability.

Valuation Hierarchy--Topic 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes observable and unobservable inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three broad levels:

Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity has the ability to access.

Level 2 inputs are observable inputs other than prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated with observable market data.

Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets and liabilities. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.

Our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 28, 2020 were as follows:

			Fair Value Measurements at March 28, 2020 Using:
Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis	Total Carrying Value at March 28, 2020		Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Assets invested for self-insurance, classified as other assets, noncurrent	$	14,152	$	14,152	$	—	$	—
Defined benefit pension plan assets	—		—		—		—
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation	$	3,013	$	—	$	3,013	$	—

Our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2019 were as follows:

			Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2019 Using:
Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis	Total Carrying Value at December 31, 2019		Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Assets invested for self-insurance, classified as other assets, noncurrent	$	15,379	$	15,379	$	—	$	—
Defined benefit pension plan assets	3,758		—		3,758		—
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation	$	2,459	$	—	$	2,459	$	—

The assets invested for self-insurance are certificates of deposit--classified as Level 1--based on quoted market prices of the identical underlying securities in active markets. The estimated fair value of the deferred compensation--classified as Level 2--is based on the value of the Company's common shares, determined by independent valuation.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments--The fair values of our current financial assets and current liabilities, including cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued expenses, among others, approximate their reported carrying values because of their short-term nature. Financial instruments classified as noncurrent liabilities and their carrying values and fair values were as follows:

	March 28, 2020				December 31, 2019
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
Revolving credit facility, noncurrent	$	143,000	$	143,000	$	62,000	$	62,000
Senior unsecured notes, noncurrent	75,000		84,935		75,000		79,558
Term loans, noncurrent	2,457		2,820		6,774		7,124
Total	$	220,457	$	230,755	$	143,774	$	148,682

The carrying value of our revolving credit facility approximates fair value--classified as Level 2--as the interest rates on the amounts outstanding are variable. The fair value of our senior unsecured notes and term loans--classified as Level 2--is determined based on expected future weighted-average interest rates with the same remaining maturities.

Market Risk--In the normal course of business, we are exposed to market risk related to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, changes in interest rates and changes in fuel prices. We do not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. In prior years, we have used derivative financial instruments to manage risk, in part, associated with changes in interest rates and changes in fuel prices. Presently, we are not engaged in any hedging or derivative activities.

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Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments (Details) - Fair value, measurements, recurring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 28, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Quoted prices in active markets (Level 1) [Member]
Fair value, assets and liabilities measured on recurring and nonrecurring basis [Line Items]
Assets invested for self-insurance, classified as other assets, noncurrent	$ 14,152	$ 15,379
Defined benefit pension plan assets	0	0
Deferred compensation	0	0
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair value, assets and liabilities measured on recurring and nonrecurring basis [Line Items]
Assets invested for self-insurance, classified as other assets, noncurrent	0	0
Defined benefit pension plan assets	0	3,758
Deferred compensation	3,013	2,459
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair value, assets and liabilities measured on recurring and nonrecurring basis [Line Items]
Assets invested for self-insurance, classified as other assets, noncurrent	0	0
Defined benefit pension plan assets	0	0
Deferred compensation	0	0
Total carrying value [Member]
Fair value, assets and liabilities measured on recurring and nonrecurring basis [Line Items]
Assets invested for self-insurance, classified as other assets, noncurrent	14,152	15,379
Defined benefit pension plan assets	0	3,758
Deferred compensation	$ 3,013	$ 2,459

XML

Leases Remaining lease term (Details)	Mar. 28, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
Operating leases, weighted average remaining lease term	4 years 2 months 12 days
Finance lease, weighted average remaining lease term	2 years 8 months 12 days

XML

Long-Term Debt and Commitments Related to Letters of Credit Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 28, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Revolving credit facility, noncurrent	$ 143,000	$ 62,000
Term loans	17,232	24,076
Long-term debt	241,232	167,076
Less debt issuance costs	373	420
Less current portion	20,775	23,302
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities	220,084	143,354
Swing-line borrowings [Member]
Revolving credit facility, noncurrent	20,000	10,000
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Revolving credit facility, noncurrent	123,000	52,000
Unsecured debt [Member]
Senior unsecured notes	81,000	81,000
5.09% Senior unsecured notes [Member]
Senior unsecured notes	6,000	6,000
3.99% Senior unsecured notes [Member]
Senior unsecured notes	50,000	50,000
4.00% Senior unsecured notes [Member]
Senior unsecured notes	$ 25,000	$ 25,000

XML

Accounts Receivable, Net and Supplemental Balance-Sheet Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 28, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Accounts receivable, net
Accounts receivable	$ 168,503	$ 176,849
Unbilled Receivables(1)	82,051	58,277
Accounts receivable, gross	250,554	235,126
Less allowances for doubtful accounts	2,887	3,815
Accounts receivable, net	247,667	231,311
Other current assets
Refundable income taxes	1,366	339
Prepaid expense	17,364	25,664
Other	793	984
Total	19,523	26,987
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net [Abstract]
Land and Land Improvements	19,106	19,270
Buildings and leasehold improvements	44,267	44,414
Equipment	613,398	604,211
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	676,771	667,895
Less accumulated depreciation	473,789	468,045
Property and equipment, net	202,982	199,850
Other Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Assets invested for self-insurance	14,166	15,426
Investment--cost-method affiliate	1,314	1,314
Other	5,514	5,595
Total	20,994	22,335
Accrued expenses
Employee compensation	12,317	26,381
Accrued compensated absences	10,197	10,744
Self-insured medical claims	2,451	1,824
Income tax payable	5,590	6,420
Customer advances, deposits	85	1,674
Taxes, other than income	4,514	1,775
Other	3,077	3,613
Total	38,231	52,431
Other current liabilities
Notes payable	6,520	1,853
Current operating lease liabilities	16,920	14,665
Current portion of long-term debt	20,775	23,302
Self-insurance reserve	30,855	30,882
Total	54,295	47,400
Other noncurrent liabilities
Pension and retirement plans	6,804	6,552
Deferred income taxes	484	567
Other	5,107	5,149
Other noncurrent liabilities	$ 12,395	$ 12,268

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Income Taxes

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2020

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income taxes [Text Block]

Income Taxes

Our income tax provision for interim periods is determined using an estimate of our annual effective tax rate adjusted for discrete items, if any, that are taken into account in the relevant period. Each quarter we update our estimate of the annual effective tax rate and, if our estimated annual tax rate changes, we make a cumulative adjustment. The estimated annual effective tax rate for the three months ended March 28, 2020 was 28.5%. Our annual effective tax rate for the three months ended March 30, 2019 was estimated at 28.3%. Our effective tax rate was 8.9% and 34.8% for the three months ended March 28, 2020 and March 30, 2019, respectively. The change in the effective tax rate from statutory tax rates is primarily due to the impact of state and local taxes which are partially offset by favorable discrete items.

On March 27, 2020, Congress approved and the President signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security ("CARES") Act into law. CARES Act is a tax-and-spending package intended to provide economic relief to address the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Company is currently evaluating several significant business tax provisions, such as net operating losses and employee retention credits to determine the impact on the Company.

As of March 28, 2020, we had unrecognized tax benefits of $1,869, of which $674 would affect our effective rate if recognized, and accrued interest expense related to unrecognized benefits of $67. At December 31, 2019, we had unrecognized tax benefits of $1,850, of which $654 would affect our effective rate if recognized, and accrued interest expense related to unrecognized benefits of $64. Unrecognized tax benefits are the differences between a tax position taken, or expected to be taken in a tax return, and the benefit recognized for financial reporting purposes.

We recognize interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. Penalties, if incurred, would be recognized as a component of income tax expense.

The Company is routinely under audit by U.S. federal, state, local and Canadian authorities in the area of income tax. These audits include questioning the timing and the amount of income and deductions and the allocation of income and deductions among various tax jurisdictions. With the exception of U.S. state jurisdictions and Canada, the Company is no longer subject to examination by tax authorities for the years through 2016. As of March 28, 2020, we believe it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will not significantly increase or decrease.

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Revenue Recognition (Notes)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2020

Revenue Recognition [Abstract]

Revenue from contract from customer [Text Block]

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue in accordance with ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.

Nature of Performance Obligations and Significant Judgments

At contract inception, the Company assesses the goods and services promised in its contracts with customers and identifies a performance obligation for each promised good or service (or bundle of goods and services) that is distinct. To identify the performance obligations, the Company considers each of the goods or services promised in the contract regardless of whether they are explicitly stated or are implied by customary business practices.

Our contracts with our customers generally originate upon the completion of a quote for services for residential and commercial customers or the receipt of a purchase order (or similar work order) for utility customers. In some cases, our contracts are governed by master services agreements, in which case our contract under ASC 606 consists of the combination of the master services agreement and the quote/purchase order. Many of our contracts have a stated duration of one year or less or contain termination clauses that allow the customer to cancel the contract after a specified notice period, which is typically less than 90 days. Due to the fact that many of our arrangements allow the customer to terminate for convenience, the duration of the contract for revenue recognition purposes generally does not extend beyond the services that we have actually transferred. As a result, many of our contracts are, in effect, day-to-day or month-to-month contracts.

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following tables disaggregate our revenue for the three months ended March 28, 2020 and March 30, 2019 by major sources:

Three Months Ended March 28, 2020	Utility		Residential and Commercial		All Other			Consolidated
Type of service:
Tree and plant care	$	141,743	$	60,257	$	(25	)	$	201,975
Grounds maintenance	—		23,066		—			23,066
Storm damage services	523		637		—			1,160
Consulting and other	43,483		17,993		603			62,079
Total revenues	$	185,749	$	101,953	$	578		$	288,280
Geography:
United States	$	177,087	$	95,052	$	578		$	272,717
Canada	8,662		6,901		—			15,563
Total revenues	$	185,749	$	101,953	$	578		$	288,280

Three Months Ended March 30, 2019	Utility		Residential and Commercial		All Other			Consolidated
Type of service:
Tree and plant care	$	103,386	$	60,427	$	(11	)	$	163,802
Grounds maintenance	—		27,942		—			27,942
Storm damage services	1,072		1,625		—			2,697
Consulting and other	36,011		17,401		36			53,448
Total revenues	$	140,469	$	107,395	$	25		$	247,889
Geography:
United States	$	129,882	$	100,999	$	25		$	230,906
Canada	10,587		6,396		—			16,983
Total revenues	$	140,469	$	107,395	$	25		$	247,889

Contract Balances

Our contract liabilities consist of advance payments and billings in excess of costs incurred and deferred revenue. The Company has recognized $942 of revenue for the three months ended March 28, 2020 that was included in the contract liability balance at December 31, 2019 and $1,080 of revenue for the three months ended March 30, 2019 that was included in the contract liability balance at December 31, 2018. Net contract liabilities consisted of the following:

	March 28, 2020		December 31, 2019
Contract liabilities - current	$	4,320	$	3,129
Contract liabilities - noncurrent	2,787		2,705
Net contract liabilities	$	7,107	$	5,834

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Basis of Financial Statement Preparation (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2020

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of financial statement preparation, policy [Policy Text Block]

The condensed consolidated financial statements present the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of The Davey Tree Expert Company and its subsidiaries. When we refer to “we,” “us,” “our,” “Davey,” or “Davey Tree”, we mean The Davey Tree Expert Company and its subsidiaries, unless otherwise expressly stated or the context indicates otherwise.

We have prepared the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”), as codified in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”), and with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim financial information. The condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Certain information and disclosures required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements have been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. We suggest that these condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 (the “2019 Annual Report”).

Use of estimates, policy [Policy Text Block]

Use of Estimates in Financial Statement Preparation--The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts. Our condensed consolidated financial statements include amounts that are based on management’s best estimates and judgments. Estimates are used for, but not limited to, accounts receivable valuation, depreciable lives of fixed assets, self-insurance reserves, income taxes and revenue recognition. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Income tax, policy [Policy Text Block]

Our income tax provision for interim periods is determined using an estimate of our annual effective tax rate adjusted for discrete items, if any, that are taken into account in the relevant period. Each quarter we update our estimate of the annual effective tax rate and, if our estimated annual tax rate changes, we make a cumulative adjustment.

Earnings per share, policy [Policy Text Block]

We calculate our basic earnings per share by dividing net income or net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share are calculated in a similar manner, but include the effect of dilutive securities. To the extent these securities are antidilutive, they are excluded from the calculation of earnings per share.

Segment reporting, policy [Policy Text Block]

Measurement of Segment Profit and Loss and Segment Assets--We evaluate performance and allocate resources based primarily on operating income and also actively manage business unit operating assets. Segment information, including reconciling adjustments, is presented consistent with the basis described in our 2019 Annual Report.

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Revenue Recognition (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2020

Revenue Recognition [Abstract]

Disaggregation of revenue [Table Text Block]

The following tables disaggregate our revenue for the three months ended March 28, 2020 and March 30, 2019 by major sources:

Three Months Ended March 28, 2020	Utility		Residential and Commercial		All Other			Consolidated
Type of service:
Tree and plant care	$	141,743	$	60,257	$	(25	)	$	201,975
Grounds maintenance	—		23,066		—			23,066
Storm damage services	523		637		—			1,160
Consulting and other	43,483		17,993		603			62,079
Total revenues	$	185,749	$	101,953	$	578		$	288,280
Geography:
United States	$	177,087	$	95,052	$	578		$	272,717
Canada	8,662		6,901		—			15,563
Total revenues	$	185,749	$	101,953	$	578		$	288,280

Three Months Ended March 30, 2019	Utility		Residential and Commercial		All Other			Consolidated
Type of service:
Tree and plant care	$	103,386	$	60,427	$	(11	)	$	163,802
Grounds maintenance	—		27,942		—			27,942
Storm damage services	1,072		1,625		—			2,697
Consulting and other	36,011		17,401		36			53,448
Total revenues	$	140,469	$	107,395	$	25		$	247,889
Geography:
United States	$	129,882	$	100,999	$	25		$	230,906
Canada	10,587		6,396		—			16,983
Total revenues	$	140,469	$	107,395	$	25		$	247,889

Contract with customer, asset and liability [Table Text Block]

Net contract liabilities consisted of the following:

	March 28, 2020		December 31, 2019
Contract liabilities - current	$	4,320	$	3,129
Contract liabilities - noncurrent	2,787		2,705
Net contract liabilities	$	7,107	$	5,834

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Net Periodic Benefit Expense - Defined Benefit Pension Plans (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2020

Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) [Abstract]

Schedule of defined benefit pension plans, components of pension expense [Table Text Block]

The results of operations included the following net periodic benefit expense (income) recognized related to our defined-benefit pension plans.

	Three Months Ended
	March 28, 2020		March 30, 2019
Components of pension expense (income)
Service costs--increase in benefit obligation earned	$	—	$	45
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	26		75
Expected return on plan assets	—		(23		)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	22		44
Amortization of prior service cost	16		16
Net pension expense of defined benefit pension plans	$	64	$	157

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Identified Intangible Assets and Goodwill, Net (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2020

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of identified intangible assets and goodwill, net [Table Text Block]

The carrying amounts of the identified intangible assets and goodwill acquired in connection with our acquisitions were as follows:

	March 28, 2020				December 31, 2019
	Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Amortized intangible assets:
Customer lists/relationships	$	28,478	$	20,024	$	28,301	$	20,024
Employment-related	8,485		7,448		8,391		7,348
Tradenames	7,393		5,789		7,402		5,788
Amortized intangible assets	44,356		$	33,261	44,094		$	33,160
Less accumulated amortization	33,261				33,160
Identified intangible assets, net	$	11,095			$	10,934
Goodwill	$	43,780			$	42,285

Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]

The changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill, by segment, for the three months ended March 28, 2020 and March 30, 2019 follow:

	Balance at January 1, 2020		Acquisitions		Translation and Other Adjustments		Balance at March 28, 2020
Utility	$	4,911	$	—	$	—	$	4,911
Residential and Commercial	37,374		1,356		139		38,869
Total	$	42,285	$	1,356	$	139	$	43,780
	Balance at January 1, 2019		Acquisitions		Translation and Other Adjustments		Balance at March 30, 2019
Utility	$	4,911	$	—	$	—	$	4,911
Residential and Commercial	33,060		1,232		125		34,417
Total	$	37,971	$	1,232	$	125	$	39,328

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]

The estimated future aggregate amortization expense of intangible assets, as of March 28, 2020 is as follows:

	Estimated Future Amortization Expense
Remaining nine months of 2020	$	2,053
2021	2,325
2022	2,020
2023	1,888
2024	1,431
Thereafter	1,377
	$	11,095

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Seasonality of Business

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2020

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Seasonality of business

Seasonality of Business

Due to the seasonality of our business, our operating results for the three months ended March 28, 2020 are not indicative of results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the year ending December 31, 2020. Our business seasonality traditionally results in higher revenues during the second and third quarters as compared with the first and fourth quarters of the year, while the methods of accounting for fixed costs, such as depreciation expense, amortization, rent and interest expense, are not significantly impacted by business seasonality.

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Long-Term Debt and Commitments Related to Letters of Credit

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2020

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Long-term debt and commitments related to letters of credit [Text Block]

Long-Term Debt and Commitments Related to Letters of Credit

Our long-term debt consisted of the following:

	March 28, 2020		December 31, 2019
Revolving credit facility:
Swing-line borrowings	$	20,000	$	10,000
LIBOR borrowings	123,000		52,000
	143,000		62,000
Senior unsecured notes:
5.09% Senior unsecured notes	6,000		6,000
3.99% Senior unsecured notes	50,000		50,000
4.00% Senior unsecured notes	25,000		25,000
	81,000		81,000
Term loans	17,232		24,076
	241,232		167,076
Less debt issuance costs	373		420
Less current portion	20,775		23,302
	$	220,084	$	143,354

Revolving Credit Facility --As of March 28, 2020, we had a $250,000 revolving credit facility with a group of banks, which expires in October 2022 and permits borrowings, as defined, up to $250,000, including a letter of credit sublimit of $100,000 and a swing-line commitment of $25,000. Under certain circumstances, the amount available under the revolving credit facility may be increased to $325,000. The revolving credit facility contains certain affirmative and negative covenants customary for this type of facility and includes financial covenant ratios with respect to a maximum leverage ratio (not to exceed 3.00 to 1.00 with exceptions in case of material acquisitions) and a minimum interest coverage ratio (not less than 3.00 to 1.00), in each case subject to certain further restrictions as described in the credit agreement. As of

March 28, 2020, we had unused commitments under the facility approximating $104,123, with $145,877 committed, consisting of borrowings of $143,000 and issued letters of credit of $2,877.

Borrowings outstanding bear interest, at Davey Tree’s option, of either (a) a base rate or (b) LIBOR plus a margin adjustment ranging from .875% to 1.50%--with the margin adjustments in both instances based on the Company's leverage ratio at the time of borrowing. The base rate is the greater of (i) the agent bank’s prime rate, (ii) LIBOR plus 1.50%, or (iii) the federal funds rate plus .50%. A commitment fee ranging from .10% to .225% is also required based on the average daily unborrowed commitment.

5.09% Senior Unsecured Notes--During July 2010, we issued 5.09% Senior Unsecured Notes, Series A (the "5.09% Senior Notes"), in the aggregate principal amount of $30,000 pursuant to a Master Note Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) between the Company and the purchasers of the 5.09% Senior Notes. The 5.09% Senior Notes are due July 22, 2020.

The 5.09% Senior Notes are equal in right of payment with our revolving credit facility and all other senior unsecured obligations of the Company. Interest is payable semiannually and five equal, annual principal payments commenced on July 22, 2016 (the sixth anniversary of issuance).  The Purchase Agreement contains customary events of default and covenants related to limitations on indebtedness and transactions with affiliates and the maintenance of certain financial ratios.

3.99% Senior Unsecured Notes--On September 21, 2018, we issued 3.99% Senior Notes, Series A (the "3.99% Senior Notes"), in the aggregate principal amount of $50,000. The 3.99% Senior Notes are due September 21, 2028.

The 3.99% Senior Notes were issued pursuant to a Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement (the “Note Purchase and Shelf Agreement”) between the Company, PGIM, Inc. and the purchasers of the 3.99% Senior Notes. Subsequent series of promissory notes may be issued pursuant to the Note Purchase and Shelf Agreement (the "Shelf Notes") in an aggregate additional principal amount not to exceed $50,000 ($25,000 of which was issued on February 5, 2019).

The 3.99% Senior Notes are equal in right of payment with our revolving credit facility and all other senior unsecured obligations of the Company. Interest is payable semiannually and five equal, annual principal payments commence on September 21, 2024 (the sixth anniversary of issuance).  The Note Purchase and Shelf Agreement contains customary events of default and covenants related to limitations on indebtedness and transactions with affiliates and the maintenance of certain financial ratios. The Company may prepay at any time all, or from time to time any part of, the outstanding principal amount of the 3.99% Senior Notes, subject to the payment of a make-whole amount.

In conjunction with the issuance of the 3.99% Senior Notes, on September 21, 2018, the Company entered into an amendment to its revolving credit facility. The amendment amended certain provisions and covenants in the credit agreement to generally conform them to the corresponding provisions and covenants in the Note Purchase and Shelf Agreement. The amendment also permitted the Company to incur indebtedness arising under the Note Purchase and Shelf Agreement in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $75,000, which included the $50,000 of 3.99% Senior Notes, plus an additional $25,000 in Shelf Notes (which were issued on February 5, 2019).

4.00% Senior Unsecured Notes--On February 5, 2019, we issued 4.00% Senior Notes, Series B (the "4.00% Senior Notes") pursuant to the Note Purchase and Shelf Agreement in the aggregate principal amount of $25,000. The notes are due September 21, 2028. Subsequent series of Shelf Notes may be issued pursuant to the Note Purchase and Shelf Agreement in an aggregate additional principal amount not to exceed

$25,000. A further amendment to the revolving credit facility would be required for such a transaction to be permissible under the revolving credit facility. The 4.00% Senior Notes are equal in right of payment with our revolving credit facility and all other senior unsecured obligations of the Company. Interest is payable semiannually and five equal, annual principal payments commence on September 21, 2024.

The net proceeds of all senior notes were used to pay down borrowings under our revolving credit facility.

Term loans--Periodically, the Company will enter into term loans for the procurement of insurance or to finance acquisitions.

Aggregate Maturities of Long-Term Debt--Aggregate maturities of long-term debt based on the principal amounts outstanding at March 28, 2020 were as follows: 2020--$15,932; 2021--$6,170; 2022--$143,939; $2023--$191; 2024--$15,000; and thereafter $60,000.

Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility--In May 2019, the Company amended its Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility (the "AR Securitization program") to extend the scheduled termination date for an additional one year period, to May 19, 2020.

The AR Securitization program has a limit of $100,000, of which $76,732 were issued for letters of credit ("LCs") as of both March 28, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

Under the AR Securitization program, Davey Tree transfers by selling or contributing current and future trade receivables to a wholly-owned, bankruptcy-remote financing subsidiary which pledges a perfected first priority security interest in the trade receivables--equal to the issued LCs as of March 28, 2020--to the bank in exchange for the bank issuing LCs.

Pre-petition receivables from PG&E Corporation and its regulated utility subsidiary, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (collectively, "PG&E"), which filed voluntary bankruptcy petitions under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California, while remaining in the securitized pool, are considered ineligible and are excluded from performance ratios and reserves.

Fees payable to the bank include: (a) an LC issuance fee, payable on each settlement date, in the amount of .90% per annum on the aggregate amount of all LCs outstanding plus outstanding reimbursement obligations (e.g., arising from drawn LCs), if any, and (b) an unused LC fee, payable monthly, equal to (i) .35% per annum for each day on which the sum of the total LCs outstanding plus any outstanding reimbursement obligations is greater than or equal to 50% of the facility limit and (ii) .45% per annum for each day on which the sum of the total LCs outstanding plus any outstanding reimbursement obligations is less than 50% of the facility limit. If an LC is drawn and the bank is not immediately reimbursed in full for the drawn amount, any outstanding reimbursement obligation will accrue interest at a per annum rate equal to a reserve-adjusted LIBOR or, in certain circumstances, a base rate equal to the higher of (i) the bank’s prime rate and (ii) the federal funds rate plus .50% and, following any default, 2.00% plus the greater of (a) adjusted LIBOR and (b) a base rate equal to the higher of (i) the bank’s prime rate and (ii) the federal funds rate plus .50%.

The agreements underlying the AR Securitization program contain various customary representations and warranties, covenants, and default provisions which provide for the termination and acceleration of the commitments under the AR Securitization program in circumstances including, but not limited to, failure to make payments when due, breach of a representation, warranty or covenant, certain insolvency events or failure to maintain the security interest in the trade receivables, and defaults under other material indebtedness.

Total Commitments Related to Issued Letters of Credit--As of March 28, 2020, total commitments related to issued LCs were $81,618, of which $2,877 were issued under the revolving credit facility, $76,732 were issued under the AR Securitization program, and $2,009 were issued under short-term lines of credit. As of December 31, 2019, total commitments related to issued LCs were $81,619, of which $2,877 were issued under the revolving credit facility, $76,732 were issued under the AR Securitization program, and $2,010 were issued under short-term lines of credit.

As of March 28, 2020, we were in compliance with all debt covenants.

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Cover Page Entity address	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2020
Entity Addresses [Line Items]
Entity incorporation, state	OH
Entity tax identification number	34-0176110
Entity address, address description	1500 North Mantua Street
Entity address, address line one	P.O. Box 5193
Entity address, city or town	Kent
Entity address, state	OH
Entity address, postal zip code	44240
City area code	330
Local phone number	673-9511

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2020	Mar. 30, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 288,280	$ 247,889
Costs and expenses:
Operating	198,393	166,016
Selling	50,112	46,304
General and administrative	21,542	19,044
Depreciation and amortization	14,604	14,212
Gain on sale of assets, net	(305)	(653)
Total costs and expenses	284,346	244,923
Income from operations	3,934	2,966
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(1,946)	(2,151)
Interest income	101	83
Other, net	(1,899)	(1,655)
Income (loss) before income taxes	190	(757)
Income taxes (benefit)	17	(264)
Net income (loss)	$ 173	$ (493)
Net income (loss) per share:
Basic	$ 0.01	$ (0.02)
Diluted	$ 0.01	$ (0.02)
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
Weighted-average shares outstanding--basic and diluted		23,072,000
Basic	23,187,000	23,072,000
Diluted	24,171,000	24,018,000

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Leases Leases weighted average discount rate (Details)	Mar. 28, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
Operating lease, weighted average discount rate, percent	3.45%
Finance lease, weighted average discount rate, percent	3.05%

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Net Periodic Benefit Expense - Defined Benefit Pension Plans (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2020 USD ($)	Mar. 30, 2019 USD ($)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, number of employees settled	231
Pension plans, defined benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service costs--increase in benefit obligation earned	$ 0	$ 45
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	26	75
Expected return on plan assets	0	(23)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	22	44
Amortization of prior service cost	16	16
Net pension expense of defined benefit pension plans	64	$ 157
Settlement loss	$ 1,677

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Per Share Amounts and Common Shares Outstanding Stock subscription (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2020 USD ($) $ / shares shares
Equity [Abstract]
Stock subscription offering, subscription price | $ / shares	$ 9.85
Stock subscription offering, number of shares subscribed | shares	1,275,428
stock subscription offering, value of shares subscribed | $	$ 12,563,000
Stock subscription offering, minimum financed amount | $	$ 5,000
Stock subscription offering, down payment	10.00%
Stock subscription offering, term (in years)	7 years
Stock subscription offering, interest rate	2.00%
Stock subscription offering, minimum amount to receive right | $	$ 5,000
Stock subscription offering, portion exercisable per year	14.29%
Stock subscription offering, number of shares purchased to receive one right | shares	3
Stock subscription offering, number of rights issued | shares	423,600
Stock subscription offering, right expiration term (in years)	7 years