Complaints

This profile includes complaints for The Davey Tree Expert Company's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see Find Local Branches.

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  The Davey Tree Expert Company

  1500 N Mantua St Kent, OH 44240-2372

  
• 

  The Davey Tree Expert Company

  409 Burbank Dr Toledo, OH 43607-3310

• 

  Davey

  10313 Chapel Hill Rd Morrisville, NC 27560-8707

• 

  The Davey Tree Expert Company

  7609 Boeing Dr. Greensboro, NC 27409-9046

• 

  Davey Tree Expert

  3381 Lapeer Rd W Auburn Hills, MI 48326

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/27/2025

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Davey Tree was called out by the electric company to remove trees that had fallen on electrical wires.
  Davey tree came out and pulled the limbs down off the wires and left them laying in the driveway, blocking the driveway. They chipped up branches that were further down the driveway that wasn’t any part of the problem, however, they left the larger limbs laying in the driveway. After another call and an inspection by the electric company, I was told they were going to call them back out to remove the trees and chop them up… instead, Davey Tree came back out and instead of removing f the large limbs, they dragged them to the grassy area of the yard and left them there.. leaving a disabled 63 year old woman to deal with it and not being able to cut the grass.
  This is totally unacceptable. Leaving the limbs laying in the driveway was bad enough but dragging them to multiple locations in the grassy areas (lawn area) was worse. I am livid. They refuse to remove them off the yard now so I am stuck trying to hire someone to remove limbs that were placed in the yard by Davey Tree.. If that was not bad enough, I was laughed at by the supervisor that I spoke with when telling him about the issue and he refused to help me.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 07/02/2025

  Thank you for reaching out. We take your concerns seriously, and this information will be shared with leadership for follow up.  

  

  Business Response

  Date: 07/03/2025

  Thursday, July 3rd, 2025
  To Whom It May Concern,
  Thank you for the opportunity to respond to the complaint submitted by ***** ***** regarding alleged
  debris left on her property following our recent visit.
  One of our crews was dispatched on Monday, June 16th as part of a storm-response effort requested by
  Ohio Edison. The scope of our assignment was limited: we were instructed to remove large wood blocks
  and clear debris from the driveway only, in order to allow access for utility line crews. This was a timesensitive
  job intended to support critical infrastructure repair—not a full property clean-up.
  One of our leaders personally visited the site during and after the initial work on Monday, June 16th, and
  confirmed with full confidence that no debris was left in the driveway when our team completed their
  assignment. The images included in the complaint was not from our work and was not present when our
  crew left the site.
  During the follow-up visit, an Ohio Edison forester accompanied us and confirmed that the job was
  completed according to their standards and expectations.
  While we understand the homeowner’s frustration, it is important to clarify that storm debris throughout
  her yard—including what appears to be older, weathered material—is outside the scope of our
  responsibility. Our role is strictly to assist the utility’s line department with forestry work necessary to
  restore electrical service. General property clean-up is not a part of our service agreement.
  Regrettably, when one of our leaders attempted to explain this to the homeowner, the conversation
  became hostile, with inappropriate language directed at them. The call was abruptly ended by the
  homeowner after our leader respectfully informed her we would not be returning to perform additional
  work beyond our contracted duties.
  We remain committed to professional service and communication, even in difficult circumstances.
  However, we cannot assume responsibility for clean-up services that were neither requested by our
  client nor included in the scope of work.
  Sincerely,
  ****** *********
  Director – Employee Development, Eastern Utility Services
  The Davey Tree Expert Company
  **************************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/18/2025

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On January 22 and 23, 2025, Davey Tree Expert Company came over to “trim” the trees as per contact by *******.
  This time around the “certified tree arborists” from Davies did “shave” my 35+ year old cedars from the ground up, significantly decreasing the stability of the cedars. Two cedars did fall over but *** ** ********, district manager for Davey refuses to take ownership over this event.
  Because of the way they were “shaved” on 2-3 sides, I did contact Davey Tree Expert Company right away the following day and their own certified arborist and district manager came out on January 27, 2025 to evaluate the situation with my frees.
  In his quote to “try to save my trees” he clearly stated “prune to correct hydro damage and balance canopy” and “remove tops of cedar trees impacted by hydro pruning”.
  Mr. ****** provided me with a quote (provided as attachment) to try to save my trees and I was in agreement, since I had no other option. The price was “try to fix what the commercial devision of Davey Tree Expert Company” did to my trees was 1,300.00$
  So, it appears that Davey Tree Expert co. are compensated twice for the same trees….
  It is very easy to pass accountability to a 3rd party instead of taking ownership over these occurrences.
  Being well aware of the fact that Davey is employee-owned and that your ESOP increased by 8.6% in 2024 and the goal being to further increase this, as a “small property owner” versus the “big contracts Davey has with *******”
  I was just hoping that some corrective action was possible.
  There is always room for “insight” and “corrective action”
  And in this case, that did not happen at all.
  The “compromise” that *** ** ********, district manager offered was “a credit of 500$ for further work on my trees”. I declined this credit for further work one my trees. They refused to give me any refund delisted the fact that the work was “corrective work initially caused by Davey”.
  They do not have the best interest of the trees.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 06/19/2025

  Our Utility team completed the required pruning as per the utility
  company specifications. As part of the line clearing process and verification
  of the pruning completed, our Utility client hires a third-party company that
  has confirmed the pruning Davey tree completed the line clearing pruning to
  contract specifications.
  You contacted our
  residential ********* office to please visit your property to review the tree
  that was trimmed for hydro clearance and provide options to further better the
  appearance of the tree.
  Our Davey Tree sales
  arborist provided you with an estimate that included the scope of the work, and
  the estimated cost for you to review. You provided us with a signed approved to
  proceed with the work. This work was completed per the contract terms.
  It is important to note that upon arrival of the crew you had changed
  your mind to have the Oak tree removed vs the quote we provided to only trim
  the tree. Davey Tree completed the removal of the oak tree at no additional
  charge. Upon completion of the contracted work, you paid for the services
  rendered; thank you.  Further to the completion of the work, you
  communicated that you were still displeased with the outcome that you felt
  resulted from the hydro trimming. To help with client relations, we offered a
  credit on your account of $500.00 for future services that we perform on your
  property. We also offered to deep root fertilize the cedar hedge on your
  property for increased health at no charge. Both offerings by Davey Tree were
  denied.
  To
  conclude, our ********* office received an email from you on May 18 in which
  you thanked our District Manager for his assistance in this matter and that you
  had a productive and honest conversation with **** ******* from *******.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 06/20/2025

   I am rejecting this response because:

  
  
  I refer back to what Mr. ******, your  wrote, “prune to correct hydro damage”.
  Referring to the e-mail from Mr. *. *****, regional VP from May 9th, he made it clear and I copy, “As you've already paid your invoice, we cannot apply a cost reduction”. 
  What is also clear is to me is that Davey is employee-owned since 1979.
  And reading your annual report and I copy, “As of December 31, 2024, our independent stock valuation firm, reported that our stock price increased $1.90 to $24.10 per share”. Nothing wrong with that. But - 
  Unfortunately, it would be really nice if equal value is given to the public at large and even more so to the health and well-being of the trees. 

  
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/09/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  We have been a Davey Tree (DT) customer for years. DT was hired to treat our yard for weeds/fertilize on a regular schedule. They also are to inspect & give recommendations for any issues they find when here. We always had a good relationship (10-15yrs). Never complained once.
  
  This summer we noticed our lawn covered in weeds. We contacted/sent photos to DT. They agreed that our yard should not look like that. They sent someone out to retreat. We also noticed the thickness decreasing.
  
  Then came the reason… they treated my (across the st) neighbors yard. Our neighbor contacted us to notify us this occurred. She stated that she is pretty sure this occurred before but her yard gets treated (different co.) & never put it together until this time.
  
  We notified ***** at DT of this & were told they’d make it right. We told him what the neighbor had said and that we suspected based on the condition & decline of our yard that she was correct. A tech arrived out the next morning to apply the tx to OUR yard this time. He apologized and said he was new. We were told by ***** we had new techs this year and he would find out if they were doing the right house.
  
  Expecting to discuss our concerns & DT’s findings, after multiple unreturned calls we were told - their words - “no proof” this occurred & nothing further will be done. We were not told if the techs confirmed/denied treating the correct address. No apology. Just NoProof? Side note, there is much address confusion for many (deliveries) due to the mailboxes being grouped together on one side of the street so we understand how this could have happened. Furthermore we DO have proof (pictures) that service was not provided or received bad service. As well as our neighbors word. All of which, are worth discussing.
  
  At this point, with DT being less than professional with long term clients and failing to discuss & make it right for everyone, we would like our money back for this years treatments or lack of.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 12/19/2024

  We did mistakenly treat their neighbor’s lawn 1
  time during the Summer when we had started a new Technician for their area. It
  was quickly brought to our attention and our Technician went back out within a
  day or 2 and correctly treated their lawn. They have insinuated that the issues
  of weeds and the lawn thinning are a result of their lawn not receiving
  treatment throughout the season because we were treating their neighbor’s lawn
  all season which is not true, and this was explained to them. The issues were a
  result of heat and draught stress our area experienced this year and the lawn
  not receiving enough supplemental water and being mowed to short to be healthy,
  and this was also explained to them. We will go ahead and process a refund for
  them in order to resolve this issue for them, 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 12/25/2024

   I am rejecting this response because:
  
  
  Our first complaint about the overgrown weeds throughout the yard was PRIOR to the drought. 
  Also, our yard is professionally mowed weekly at the proper cutting level. We are not interested in your refund to not have a complaint. People do need to beware of your poor service & customer service as even your manager iGNORED multiple calls to discuss the issue and failed address the situation of your tech treating someone else’s yard. You could have made it right to begin with but you failed to do so. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:11/26/2024

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I did not ask Davey tree service to come out to my property, but progressive the insurance company I use sent them to me when my neighbors tree fell on my garage. The two of us were grossly overcharged for the removal of a tree, which was already 40% not connected to the remainder of the tree due to high wind storms. Progressive insurance company has told me they have already paid **** over what I was told the price was going to be. I have received three bills from Davey and I have called them five times and they have never called me back.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 12/05/2024

  Per Sales rep and Office Manager "I did follow up with HMI to see the status of the payment on
  Monday. They have since contacted her adjuster through American family (Not
  progressive) to see the status of payment. I will report back as I have any
  updates from them." 

  Also I have attached the contract and a review from this work. 

  
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:11/17/2024

  Type:Order Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  A representative from Davey Tree came to my property in early September to discuss tree trimming and health of various trees. The contract I received stated that some of the services discussed would recur annually -- which was NOT discussed in the initial encounter. This was deceptive. I emailed the company that I did NOT want the $295 fertilizing service because the contract indicated it would recur annually and the rep had not stated that at all -- never even hinted at it! As I waited for a revised contract, Davey Tree sent an employee to my property and CONDUCTED THE SERVICE! I was stunned to receive a bill for $295 in the mail -- I hadn't even known they were there. I immediately contacted the local office about this error, but they have continued to bill me. I am not paying for a service that I did not sign a contract for. Davey Tree should NEVER have come to my property without a signed contract. I have now mailed both the home office in Kent, OH, and the local office here in my hometown. I am so angry with Davey Tree that it makes my blood boil. Their practices are deceptive and they should not be conducting ANY service WITHOUT A SIGNED CONTRACT. They must stop billing me. Thanks for your help. Terrible, terrible company.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 12/02/2024

  Attached is correspondence with Mrs. ****.
  We accepted her email as an approval (9/10/2024). Any time we receive an email
  or a mailed in proposal, the office staff will call and confirm the items
  approved (9/12/2024). The plant health care technician also called her the
  business day (9/13/2024) before the application date (9/16/2024) to confirm our
  presence on the property.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:11/16/2024

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Received service from Davey Tree Expert Company on two items I am contesting.
  
  First complaint
  Original estimate quoted was $660 to remove broken branches from a Linden tree.
  Davey came and completed the work and informed me that it would cost an additional amount of money due to the extended time to trim the tree.
  When I received the invoice there was an added charge of $435 for pruning of a Japanese Lilac which I believe is the additional charge for the extending time to trim the Linden since I do not have such a tree.
  I did contest the additional charge but have not received any follow-up from Davey. Now they have sent a past due invoice without resolving the original complaint of the additional charge.
  
  Second complaint
  Received a spray treatment for the Linden tree in August. Contacted them to learn if the treatment worked due to a thunder and wind storm within hours of them spraying the tree. They said it would be okay. Within a few days they came a sprayed the same treatment on my tree and charged me again. I contested this as I did not request a second treatment.
  I received a past due invoice on this invoice after calling and stating it was not my responsibility that they came and sprayed the tree again.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 11/20/2024

  Hello, 

  Davey Tree contacted me today to resolve the complaints. They have agreed to remove the additional fee for trimming a japanese lilac. The second issue was an error on my part. The spraying of the tree occurs twice in the year according the annual agreement. I will be paying the full invoice for the additional Linden spray.

  Please let me know if you have any questions and will inform you if the revised trimming of Linden invoice is not adjusted as they have stated they would. 

  Thank you for your assistance in resolving this issue. 

  **** ********

   

   

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/29/2024

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  June, 2024: Davey Tree performed authorized services for an agreed upon price of $526. On or around August 15, 2024, Davey Tree performed the same service as they did in June, and charged me another fee of $126 that I did not ask for nor agree to pay for.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 11/05/2024

  The Sales Arborist that handles the account visited the property on 6/17/2024 to review the property because Mr. ****** had added more plant material to his property. At that time Mr. ****** agreed to the original plan which consisted of a fertilization and a Leaf Disease treatment for a total of $526 ( the disputed amount should be $126, He has already paid the $526). We were out to Mr. ****** property on 7/1/2024, Our tech **** spoke with Mr. ****** about applying a second leaf disease treatment, Mr. ****** from what I understand agreed. Unfortunately, the tech that spoke with Mr. ****** no longer works for Davey Tree ( not able to get his side of the conversation). The Sales Arborist spoke with Mr. ****** over the phone after he received an invoice for the second leaf disease treatment, Mr. ****** couldnt understand why he was being charged for the treatment. Our tech ****** who has been to the property multiple times says that he is always asking to treat extra plant material at no cost, ****** has always told him that we could treat additional items but there would be an addition cost. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/01/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  In 6/23 called for estimate on tree trim and reason my flowering cherry tree seemed to be dying.
  Arborist came and gave trim price and said dying was due to drought stress and fungicidal
  properties. It was treated and paid $200. Didn't have other tree trimmed. In spring 2024 called
  Company get trim price update and dying tree assessed. Another arborist came. All he said was
  would be $210(tree was worse) So had treated again. No new assessment just cost. By July tree
  was over half DEAD! Called another company-their arborist came he took a sample. Took a couple of weeks for result which was tree was infested with shothole tree borers(******* *******)!
  Asked if could be saved was told DEAD AREAS would not grow back and as tree was over 50% dead and could infect other tree-HAD to Remove! Tried going to person that had settled another issue with be email on 9/16-never responded. Glad company not medical as with WRONG DIAGNOSIS-as with tree patient would DIE! As with request sent on 9/16 want treatment oney returned as all did was fertilize grass!

  

  Business Response

  Date: 10/21/2024

  Manager-**** ****** responded that he was looking into this and will take care of it on October 22nd.  Please let me know if this has not been resolved.

   

  Thanks You!

  *****

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/26/2024

  Type:Customer Service Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Entered by BBB staff LO Consumer states the business&#***;will not finish a job they started. They were supposed to come back out to grind down a ***** but each time they came they left without completing the work. She has been trying to resolve this with the business&#***;for 3 months.&#***;

  

  Business Response

  Date: 08/14/2024

  ***** just spoke to her again and we came up with a resolution to satisfy her.  We are going to adjust or cancel the ***** grinding portion of the job and request only payment for the tree removal.
  
  That would reduce what she owes in total by $750 (and tax).
  
  We will re-issue a new invoice.
  
  She thinks she already paid, but we will try again.
  
  I hope this helps with our response to BBB.
  
  Thank you!
  
  G. ************************************ | Assistant District Manager
  The Davey Tree Expert **** **************
  O: ************
  C: ************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/22/2024

  Type:Order Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Last year they removed a large tree from my backyard. I paid a total of$2646, which included $702 for stump grinding. I waited a year to allow for settling before attempting any landscaping. Hired a landscaper to level and plant grass. He found that the stump was still there. He called an associate to come and remove the stump so he could proceed (all with my approval). I did call Davey (North Royalton) to request a refund for work not completed. Their bottom line is that I should’ve called them and they would have come back. My landscaper was here and prepared to deal with the issue. It took Davey two days and two phone calls to get back to me, then suggest that I call the office to see when their rep could come to the site. My bottom line is I paid for a service that was not provided. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect compensation.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 08/05/2024

  The scope was to lightly
  buff the stump so mulch could cover it and grind the surface roots 3 inches
  below grade. I believe he found more woody material when he started excavating.
  The work was
  completed according to the contract specifications, and this was over a year
  ago. We would have happily finished any additional work he hired out, but
  without knowing about the issue, how could we have corrected it? He even
  mentioned in his complaint that he should have contacted us again. Now, over a
  year later, with no proof available, where do we go from here?
  Thank you in
  advance. I'm not sure how to respond without sounding indifferent, but we
  genuinely care about resolving issues and providing excellent work. That's how
  we've built our business.

   

  Michael Dawes

  District Manager

   

   

  

  Business Response

  Date: 08/05/2024

  The scope was to lightly
  buff the stump so mulch could cover it and grind the surface roots 3 inches
  below grade. I believe he found more woody material when he started excavating.
  The work was
  completed according to the contract specifications, and this was over a year
  ago. We would have happily finished any additional work he hired out, but
  without knowing about the issue, how could we have corrected it? He even
  mentioned in his complaint that he should have contacted us again. Now, over a
  year later, with no proof available, where do we go from here?
  Thank you in
  advance. I'm not sure how to respond without sounding indifferent, but we
  genuinely care about resolving issues and providing excellent work. That's how
  we've built our business.

   

  Michael Dawes

  District Manager

   

   

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/08/2024

   I am rejecting this response because: I will acknowledge that it’s been a year because I was not aware that it was my responsibility to go sift through the debris to check to make sure Davey did their job. With the recommendations I received related to the company, I didn’t think it was necessary. I was hoping they would at least refund the cost of the additional work.
  
  
  
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/08/2024

   I am rejecting this response because: I will acknowledge that it’s been a year because I was not aware that it was my responsibility to go sift through the debris to check to make sure Davey did their job. With the recommendations I received related to the company, I didn’t think it was necessary. I was hoping they would at least refund the cost of the additional work.