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

  
• 

  Davey Tree Expert Company

  18840 Woodfield Rd Gaithersburg, MD 20879

• 

  Davey Tree Expert Company

  3381 Lapeer Rd W Auburn Hills, MI 48326

• 

  Davey

  851 Gum Branch Rd # 128 Jacksonville, NC 28540

• 

  Davey Tree Expert Company

  133 12th Street Bettendorf, IA 52722-4811

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:09/25/2023

  Type:Order 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.

  Issued check for services not yet performed by Davey Tree Company over 2 months ago and check was cashed before any work was performed. I keep reaching out to company without a response as to when they would schedule the work. They originally committed to scheduling withing 2 weeks but that date has long past. I just want the $1050 I paid for work that was not performed. When I inquired about why check was cashed without work being performed yet my question was ignored.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 10/12/2023

  His refund is in
  process and the sales rep communicated that to him on Friday of last
  week.  I would expect the refund to be back to him shortly.
  
  ***** ********* | District Manager
  *** Certified Arborist® ** *****
  The Davey Tree Expert Company | **** ***** ******
  ** * *** ******* **** **** ****** ** *****
  ** ************ **** **** * ** ************
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/23/2023

  I have received the check last week this can be closed now.

  ***

• Initial Complaint

  Date:09/24/2023

  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 September 1, 2023 Davey Tree trimmed the tree in our front yard to get the branches out of the electrical wires. I know that this needs to be done, but the problem is that they left 2 branches below the lines and took all other branches all the way to the top of the tree. This has left the tree very top heavy toward our house and we don't feel it is safe now. They also busted up my garden, and took a garden ornament that was important to me. I called the company on September 1st and filed a complaint. No one called me back, so I called again on September 5th and was told by the ******************** that that wasn't right and she was going to call the Supervisor on that job and have him call me back. I'm still waiting! If we have a bad storm and the tree falls on my house, who is responsible? We don't feel that we have any recourse but to have the tree taken out. If they would at least call me back to discuss the matter, I would appreciate it.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 10/19/2023

   

  We spoke with the homeowner and this complaint is resolved. 
  
  Thank you, 
  *********************;| Production Manager Utility Services
  The Davey Tree Expert Company | ****************************************************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/30/2023

  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 were having difficulty with a string of hedges we had installed in the backyard. We looked to seek professional help and came across Davey tree company. ******* ******* came out and identified the issue as a type of fungus causing the deteriorating plants. He offered us a service to remedy and we scheduled. Time goes by and it is still having issues. We contact him again. He said now it’s a different type of fungus. He stated “it’s like a antibiotic, sometimes you need to try another to see if it works”. Odd but we complied. Time guys by and now we have lost 12 of our podocarpus hedges. We spent numerous weeks calling and emailing ******* to no avail. I called the central office and left multiple messages with their customer service and never heard back. This went on for months. The treatment provided did not remedy our issue and only made it worst. The horrific part is the service rep went missing and never got back. I finally looked up the ceo and cc’d him on the email. ******* finally replied and stated our plants are dying because of a lack of water. Funny… he stated this without coming back out and we water on a proper schedule. He changed his reasoning for the issues and continue to deny. Let alone he failed to recognize he abandoned us after taking our initial money and thought it was okay to then send more bills without responding. I then requested his supervisor in which he said would be reaching out to me by the end of the day. It’s now been a month and we received 3 outstanding bill letters and a notice of threat to send to collections. Absolutely the worst service and response from this company and their representatives. No one has taken ownership and or reached out to help find a resolution. I’ll also be filing a complaint with the ISA if they don’t help resolve this.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 09/11/2023

  Good day,
  
  We are crediting the client.
  
  Thank You.
  
  ******* ******* | CE
  The Davey Tree Expert Co.
  123 Atlantic Dr., Ste 111
  Maitland, FL 32751
  Office: 407.331.8020

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/25/2023

  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.

  As you can see on the video, the employee of Davey Tree pushed him self through my gate, causing it to misalign. I reached to their insurance and they agree that he did this but they it could've been already misaligned. I sent a statement from the gate company that the gate was fine a month before, but they are still making excuses and not taking replsponsability and refusing to pay for the repairs. Attached is an estimate of the repairs.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 09/26/2023

  Is there any additional information you can give us?  The name on the complaint doesn't seem to be a current customer.  We have Utility, Residential, Commercial and DRG offices doing work in that area but cannot locate which office to contact about the complaint.  If they are a customer, can they give us their customer number, address where they were working that day or truck number?

  Sorry for all the questions but want to get this to the correct manager.

   

  Thanks, *****

  Customer Answer

  Date: 09/26/2023

  I am the customer and a Davey Tree employee is the one that unaligned my truck.

  According to them, they are subcontract by **** to evaluate trees.

  This man didn't knock or leave a note for us to call him. He simply pushed him self through my gate, traspassing on private Propane damaging it.

  Attach is a pic of the truck he was driving at the time of the incident,  clearly shows the name aof the company and the truck number. Davey Tree, *****

  

  Business Response

  Date: 09/29/2023

  I appreciate the customer sending me the additional information and pictures.  I was able to get a general idea on who to send this to so it can be addressed.  I will keep you posted as I receive information back.  Thanks, *****

  

  Business Response

  Date: 10/03/2023

  
  This case stems from one of our VMI having performed a
  Routine inspection on the customer's property on 5/18/23. ****** does not live
  at the property and called Davey on 5/19 after having viewed a *** truck
  outside of and an employee entering her property the previous day, via her
  security camera. The case was originally routed to PM ******** ********, who
  then relayed it to me. I spoke to ****** on 5/19 and she explained that one of
  our employees had entered through her driveway gate without permission. I informed
  her I would look into it and visit her property (without entering) to see the
  situation for myself.
  
  I made arrangements with the VMI in question and went to the
  property on Monday, 5/22 to see the gate. Upon arrival ****** spoke to us via
  her security camera and I ensured her we would not enter the property. The VMI
  apologized for entering the parcel (which did have Notify First and Dog
  alerts). ****** insisted the gate was now damaged, the posts were offset when
  formerly they had been flush and that it no longer functioned properly. The
  employee stated to myself that the gate was like that upon arrival. I scheduled
  an appointment with ****** via text later that week for a supervisor to conduct
  a walkthrough and discuss the P2 that had been signed up. That meeting took
  place on 5/30.
  
  ****** submitted 2 separate PG&E customer cases during
  this time period due to the gate damage and unauthorized property entrance. I
  completed one and a supervisor completed the other. ****** reached out to me
  later in the summer about the lack of resolution with getting her gate paid for
  and fixed. Since the situation's origin I had been consulting with Jonah and
  submitted a Form C (attached) for the damage on 7/3. I put ****** in touch with
  Claims first by phone and then by email on 7/19, at which point ***** took over
  the case.
  
  Please let me know if any additional information is needed
  and take care,
  
  ***

   

  Looping in ***** from Claims as she may be able to provide some additional insight.

  We
  sent this to our insurance company to do an investigation. It looks like they
  denied her claim. The adjuster interviewed the person that went through the
  gate and looked at her ring camera footage and there wasn't any real evidence
  that we damaged her gate. 
  
  She
  has the right to appeal, but it doesn't show that she did in the file.

  Thanks,

  *****

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/04/2023

   I am rejecting this response because:
  
  
  I sent everything the insurance agent requested, including a statement from the gate company that was there a month before the incident,  they testified that the gate was in perfect t condition when they were there.

  The insurance agent only emailed me saying that the company rejected the claim.

  I have a video of a Davey Tree employee pushing my gate several times to go through it. He misaligned it and now Davey Tree is refusing to take responsibility. 

  These shows the character of the company, refusing to acknowledge the misconduct and damage one of their employers did 

  I did not appeal because I never received anything to appeal.

  I want their employee to take responsibility of his actions and I want the company to pay to get my gate fixed.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/16/2023

  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.

  I live in the neighborhood of the ******* ***** **** Association. We are responsible for all repairs to the roadways in our neighborhood. Last year Davey Tree was working for **** trimming trees away from the electrical lines. They set up their rig in the wrong location and broke the drainage pipe that goes under our road that carries off winter storm rain water to ***** *****.
  I reached out to them multiple times and only heard back from the woman who seems to work intake for email requests. In August I reached out to *** County Services Areas asking if they could help us get reimbursed for the broken drainage pipe. They never replied to my e-mail message.
  
  In November we had to get emergency authorization from *** County Services Areas to make the repair before the rain started. The broken pipe if not repaired would have caused flooding to the houses below the broken drainage pipe. The estimate that we received for the repair was for $8,900.00. This estimate is based on the assumption that other repair work would also be completed at the same time, we received that estimate in May 2022.
  
  Davey Tree has ignored our communications and have refused to take responsibility for the damages they have caused. It appears our only recourse will be to file a claim in small claims court - costing us further time and money.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 08/22/2023

  Below is response from Manager.

   

  I have an appointment with **** next Monday at 10am.  
  I
  follow up with more afterwards.  
  Thanks,
  **** ********* * Operations Manager
  ISA
  Certified Utility Arborist# *********
  CTSP# ****
  Davey
  Tree Surgery Co. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/29/2023

  We have been contacted by the business but I would like to keep this case open until they come to a resolution. Or should I file a new case if they do not resolve to our liking?

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/10/2023

  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.

  On June 29th, Davey Tree experts were working under contract with the Public Service Company of *** ****** trimming our next door neighbor's trees away from the power lines. After finishing their trees, they next completely cut down three small to medium sized trees behind our property that were part of our tree wall to shield our back yard from the four story apartment complex across the street behind our house. These trees were not in the power lines and they did not get permission from us to remove the trees. I contacted a supervisor for Davey who admitted what his people did was wrong and told me they would replace the trees with trees that would not quickly grow into the power lines. Then they told me they were having trouble finding tree and then they stopped communicating with me.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 08/15/2023

  From: ******* **** <*********************>
  Sent: Tuesday, August 15, 2023 1:39 PM
  Subject: Re: ************ High priority [The Davey Tree Expert Company]
  
  Good morning ,
  
  I just spoke with the owner and we agreed to meet next
  Tuesday and discuss a resolution . He recently just sold the house so idk if we
  need to talk to new owner . But I will get the details next week . 
  Thanks !
  Sent from my ****** 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/18/2023

   I am rejecting this response because:  The response is ok, but we have not finalized their solution to the problem.  I am worried that if I close the case before meeting with them in person, nothing will be completed by them like the last time they promised a resolution.
  
  
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/29/2023

  Type:Service or Repair 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.

  I contracted with Davey to complete a tree removal job. There were 8 trees and 8 stumps. They removed the trees and one stump. I paid the original invoice ($2.250). They never removed the seven remaining stumps. Once I dug them out by hand and contacted the project lead, I was told ‘sorry and we will make this up to you’ but then started to receive an invoice for the work I did myself. They are attempting to charge me for me doing my own work because they never completed the job! This is ridiculous.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/05/2023

  Davey has since completed the job and communicated with me regarding the second invoice.  This issue is resolved. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/31/2023

  Type:Product 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.

  Contracted Davey Tree Co. to cut down and remove tree. They started the job June 6th cutting down 2/3 of the tree, living limbs on the ground, but then stated they could not return right away. The job was not completed until June 30th. All this time limbs lay on and crushed the bed of pachysandra. In addition, they broke the invisible dog fence. They said they would repair pachysandra and reimburse for the repair of the fence. Fine. But, Davey never returned - did nothing. I sent an email on July 19th restating the issues and requesting resolution. Received an acknowledgment - someone will call. No call. Sept comes and I receive a bill. Call - sorry, someone will call. No call. December comes-without any communication from Davey I receive a collections notice. Call main office - "our error - will hold collections - someone will call - here's the case number." Collection notices keep coming. Month later the local district manager calls - "yes we dropped the ball". "Credit issue not in my hands." Still nothing has been done to rescind unwarranted placement in collections. Not that it really matters but I had used this company for 20+ years. Never an issue before.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 02/28/2023

  I have been in
  communication almost weekly since the case came to my attention about 6 or so
  weeks ago. It appears two of my reps who managed his account juggled his issue
  and never resolved his concerns. In the meantime, the client didn't pay and
  calls from the office were not returned so he went to collections. Once
  collection got involved, he called to dispute the invoice. He has been upset
  that we were not resolving this issue fast enough. After several calls I was
  able to come up with a resolution. As part of the agreement, we removed him
  from collection, gave credit on his invoice for a dog fence he claims we
  damaged and agreed to replant some ground cover that was damaged as part of the
  tree removal. Attached is a copy of my last recap of our agreement and
  conversation closing the loop on this case.
  
  Please let me
  know if you have any other questions.
  
  Best,
  
  ***** ******, CTSP, ISA
  Certified Arborist, TRAQ | District Manager
  The Davey Tree Expert
  Company|

   

   

• Initial Complaint

  Date:11/19/2022

  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.

  9-18-2022
  Had a tree cut down, paid Davey 2340.00.
  Someone from Davey came out about 2 weeks later to grind the stump. Supposed to grind down below grass level. Left 12 inches above grass level. Sent us an additional bill for 720.00 for grinding stump.
  When we had new concrete
  driveway put in, stump and roots in the way. Had to call
  another company to finish grinding the stump and paid him 500.00.
  We paid 2340.00 in good faith for the total job. We were not expecting an additional 720.00. Then not happy to have to hire another company to complete the job.
  Also believe Davey is higher than any other tree service we researched after the fact.
  As I said earlier, we have already paid Davey 2340.00 and asking that that amount be considered “paid in full”.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 11/28/2022

   Attached is the work order for the tree and stump removal.  We performed the work as described.  The Removal and the stump are two different items on the work order and I received verbal confirmation from Mr. ***** on 7-12-2022"
   
  Thanks
  ****

   

  

  Business Response

  Date: 11/28/2022

  Please see attachment.

   

  *****

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/25/2022

  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 April 12, 2022 I approved a written proposal from "The Davey Tree Expert Company" to remove 10 trees and prune 2 other trees from the rear area of my residential property at a cost of $3,200. By June 10th they had not been in touch nor started the project and had not completed it as of July 7th. On or about July 15th I returned home to find that about 50% of the lawn area where they worked was destroyed. I notified them of my concern but as of August 19th, they had not yet repaired the damaged area. I agreed for them to aerate and seed the lawn as a solution, which was done. As of today, the lawn has not begun to grow back so I now believe that it will need to be sodded, which I had previously expressed to them. I have paid $2,700 of their total invoice in anticipation of the lawn being repaired. Davey has now threatened a collection effort of the $500.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 11/07/2022

  Thank you for letting us know.  I spoke with the sales arborist that sold this project and he is going to reach out to the client today.  The sales arborist and I are going to visit the property early next week to take a look.  I will send our response after visiting the property. 
  
  ***** *******, CTSP | District Manager
  ISA Board Certified Master Arborist IN-*****
  The Davey Tree Expert Company 
  531 Woodycrest Ave., Nashville, TN 37210
  P: 615.254-8733 | F: 615.254.5060