Davey Tree Expert 10-K 10 Mar 14 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information Document (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 07, 2014	Jul. 01, 2013
Entity Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'DAVEY TREE EXPERT CO	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000277638	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-13	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	13,471,852	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$286,502,971

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash	$15,861	$19,647
Accounts receivable, net	105,256	115,563
Operating supplies	5,661	6,030
Prepaid expenses	11,393	9,101
Other current assets	13,845	11,408
Total current assets	152,016	161,749
Property and equipment:	'	'
Land and land improvements	13,904	13,213
Buildings and leasehold improvements	27,364	25,676
Equipment	442,882	412,790
Property and equipment	484,150	451,679
Less accumulated depreciation	347,266	325,963
Property and equipment, net	136,884	125,716
Other assets	16,917	14,284
Identified intangible assets and goodwill, net	27,561	29,183
Total assets	333,378	330,932
Current liabilities:	'	'
Short-term debt	8,434	6,992
Accounts payable	37,922	36,972
Accrued expenses	36,858	34,462
Self-insurance accruals	22,057	20,115
Total current liabilities	105,271	98,541
Long-term debt	20,034	24,787
Senior unsecured notes	30,000	30,000
Self-insurance accruals	34,655	41,618
Other liabilities	12,280	17,880
Total liabilities	202,240	212,826
Common shareholders' equity:	'	'
Common shares, $1.00 par value, per share; 24,000 shares authorized; 21,457 shares issued and outstanding before treasury shares as of December 31, 2013 and 2012	21,457	21,457
Additional paid-in capital	5,008	3,431
Common shares subscribed	10,467	11,055
Retained earnings	230,975	210,652
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-4,393	-7,115
Stockholders' equity before treasury stock	263,514	239,480
Less: Cost of Common shares held in treasury; 8,018 shares in 2013 and 7,731 in 2012	125,034	112,159
Common shares subscription receivable	7,342	9,215
Common shareholders' equity	131,138	118,106
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$333,378	$330,932

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Common stock, par value	1	1	'	'
Common stock, shares authorized	24,000,000	24,000,000	'	'
Common stock, shares issued	21,456,880	21,456,880	21,456,880	'
Common stock, shares outstanding	13,439,000	13,726,000	13,846,000	'
Treasury stock, shares	8,018,269	7,730,878	7,611,245	'
Common Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Common stock, shares issued	'	21,457,000	21,457,000	21,457,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	21,457,000	21,457,000	'	'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Revenues	$713,848	$680,153	$646,034
Costs and expenses:	'	'	'
Operating	462,646	437,332	426,626
Selling	120,842	111,578	104,871
General and administrative	50,654	48,171	42,793
Depreciation	38,231	37,365	37,818
Amortization of intangible assets	1,980	1,742	1,908
Gain on sale of assets, net	-1,294	-1,802	-783
Costs and Expenses	673,059	634,386	613,233
Income from operations	40,789	45,767	32,801
Other income (expense):	'	'	'
Interest expense	-2,708	-2,698	-3,794
Interest income	311	200	43
Litigation settlement	0	0	-2,900
Other	-2,827	-2,611	-2,850
Income before income taxes	35,565	40,658	23,300
Income taxes	12,712	16,063	9,235
Net income	$22,853	$24,595	$14,065
Share data:	'	'	'
Earnings per share--basic:	$1.61	$1.74	$1
Earnings per share--diluted:	$1.57	$1.68	$0.97
Weighted-average shares outstanding:	'	'	'
Basic	14,170,681	14,102,366	14,006,093
Diluted	14,602,432	14,608,857	14,536,872
Dividends declared per share	$0.18	$0.18	$0.17

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Net income	$22,853	$24,595	$14,065
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments gains / (losses)	-1,864	561	-509
Change in deferred gains on cash flow hedges	0	77	568
Defined benefit pension plans:	'	'	'
Net gain (loss) arising during the year	3,717	-2,170	-3,628
Amortization of defined benefit pension items:	'	'	'
Net actuarial loss	861	752	332
Prior service cost	8	9	8
Transition obligation (asset)	0	0	-43
Amortization of defined benefit pension items:	869	761	297
Defined benefit pension plan adjustments	4,586	-1,409	-3,331
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	2,722	-771	-3,272
Comprehensive income	$25,575	$23,824	$10,793

Statement_of_Consolidated_Shar

Statement of Consolidated Shareholders' Equity (USD $)	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
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Balance at the beginning of the year at Dec. 31, 2010	($3,072)	'	'	'	'	($3,072)	'	'
Balance at beginning of year, value at Dec. 31, 2010	'	21,457	'	0	176,800	'	-96,816	0
Common shares, at beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2010	'	21,457,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Share subscriptions, beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2010	'	'	'	0	'	'	'	0
Balance at beginning of year, shares at Dec. 31, 2010	'	'	'	'	'	'	7,345,000	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Shares sold to employees, value	'	'	1,874	'	'	'	4,127	'
Options exercised, value	'	'	-876	'	'	'	-2,190	'
Subscription shares, issued, value	'	'	0	'	'	'	0	'
Stock-based compensation	'	'	833	'	'	'	'	'
Reclassification related to stock-based compensation	'	'	-110	'	110	'	'	'
Common shares, subscribed, value	'	'	'	0	'	'	'	0
Common shares, subscribed, shares	'	'	'	0	'	'	'	0
Common shares, issued, value	'	'	'	0	'	'	'	0
Common shares, issued, shares	'	'	'	0	'	'	'	0
Cancellations, value	'	'	'	0	'	'	'	0
Cancellations, shares	'	'	'	0	'	'	'	0
Net income	14,065	'	'	'	14,065	'	'	'
Dividends	'	'	'	'	-2,362	'	'	'
Currency translation adjustments	'	'	'	'	'	-509	'	'
Net gain (loss) on interest rate contracts	568	'	'	'	'	568	'	'
Defined benefit pension plans	3,331	'	'	'	'	-3,331	'	'
Shares purchased, value	'	'	'	'	'	'	-14,222	'
Shares purchased, shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	779,000	'
Shares sold to employees, shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	-351,000	'
Options exercised, shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	-162,000	'
Subscription shares, issued, shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	'
Balance at the end of the year at Dec. 31, 2011	-6,344	'	'	'	'	-6,344	'	'
Balance at ending of year, value at Dec. 31, 2011	100,726	21,457	1,721	0	188,613	'	-104,721	0
Common shares, at end of year at Dec. 31, 2011	21,456,880	21,457,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Share subscriptions, ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2011	'	'	'	0	'	'	'	0
Balance at ending of year, shares at Dec. 31, 2011	13,846,000	'	'	'	'	'	7,611,000	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Shares sold to employees, value	'	'	1,742	'	'	'	4,390	'
Options exercised, value	'	'	-2,100	'	'	'	-5,197	'
Subscription shares, issued, value	'	'	428	'	'	'	1,078	'
Stock-based compensation	'	'	1,640	'	'	'	'	'
Reclassification related to stock-based compensation	'	'	0	'	'	'	'	'
Common shares, subscribed, value	'	'	'	12,563	'	'	'	9,732
Common shares, subscribed, shares	'	'	'	638,000	'	'	'	638,000
Common shares, issued, value	'	'	'	-1,508	'	'	'	-517
Common shares, issued, shares	'	'	'	-77,000	'	'	'	-77,000
Cancellations, value	'	'	'	0	'	'	'	0
Cancellations, shares	'	'	'	0	'	'	'	0
Net income	24,595	'	'	'	24,595	'	'	'
Dividends	'	'	'	'	-2,556	'	'	'
Currency translation adjustments	'	'	'	'	'	561	'	'
Net gain (loss) on interest rate contracts	77	'	'	'	'	77	'	'
Defined benefit pension plans	1,409	'	'	'	'	-1,409	'	'
Shares purchased, value	'	'	'	'	'	'	-18,103	'
Shares purchased, shares	891,704	'	'	'	'	'	892,000	'
Shares sold to employees, shares	-327,442	'	'	'	'	'	-327,000	'
Options exercised, shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	-368,000	'
Subscription shares, issued, shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	-77,000	'
Balance at the end of the year at Dec. 31, 2012	-7,115	'	'	'	'	-7,115	'	'
Balance at ending of year, value at Dec. 31, 2012	118,106	21,457	3,431	11,055	210,652	'	-112,159	-9,215
Common shares, at end of year at Dec. 31, 2012	21,456,880	21,457,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Share subscriptions, ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2012	'	'	'	561,000	'	'	'	561,000
Balance at ending of year, shares at Dec. 31, 2012	13,726,000	21,457,000	'	'	'	'	7,731,000	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Shares sold to employees, value	'	'	2,745	'	'	'	3,853	'
Options exercised, value	'	'	-2,273	'	'	'	-4,776	'
Subscription shares, issued, value	'	'	98	'	'	'	383	'
Stock-based compensation	'	'	1,007	'	'	'	'	'
Reclassification related to stock-based compensation	'	'	0	'	0	'	'	'
Common shares, subscribed, value	12,563	'	'	0	'	'	'	0
Common shares, subscribed, shares	637,714	'	'	0	'	'	'	0
Common shares, issued, value	'	'	'	-409	'	'	'	-1,728
Common shares, issued, shares	'	'	'	-21,000	'	'	'	-21,000
Cancellations, value	'	'	'	-179	'	'	'	-145
Cancellations, shares	'	'	'	-9,000	'	'	'	-9,000
Net income	22,853	'	'	'	22,853	'	'	'
Dividends	'	'	'	'	-2,530	'	'	'
Currency translation adjustments	'	'	'	'	'	-1,864	'	'
Net gain (loss) on interest rate contracts	0	'	'	'	'	0	'	'
Defined benefit pension plans	-4,586	'	'	'	'	4,586	'	'
Shares purchased, value	'	'	'	'	'	'	-21,887	'
Shares purchased, shares	931,078	'	'	'	'	'	931,000	'
Shares sold to employees, shares	-299,330	'	'	'	'	'	-299,000	'
Options exercised, shares	-297,508	'	'	'	'	'	-319,000	'
Subscription shares, issued, shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	-26,000	'
Balance at the end of the year at Dec. 31, 2013	-4,393	'	'	'	'	-4,393	'	'
Balance at ending of year, value at Dec. 31, 2013	$131,138	'	$5,008	$10,467	$230,975	'	($125,034)	($7,342)
Common shares, at end of year at Dec. 31, 2013	21,456,880	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Share subscriptions, ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2013	'	'	'	531,000	'	'	'	531,000
Balance at ending of year, shares at Dec. 31, 2013	13,439,000	21,457,000	'	'	'	'	8,018,000	'

Statement_of_Consolidated_Shar1

Statement of Consolidated Shareholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Dividends	$0.18	$0.18	$0.17

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Operating activities	'	'	'
Net income	$22,853	$24,595	$14,065
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Depreciation	38,231	37,365	37,818
Amortization	1,980	1,742	1,908
Gain on sale of assets	-1,294	-1,802	-783
Deferred income taxes	1,716	-3,607	3,428
Other	-3,228	3,493	-1,501
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'	'
Accounts receivable	10,307	-24,294	-10,347
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	-2,308	-1,145	6,152
Self-insurance accruals	-5,021	4,468	2,855
Other assets, net	-6,926	3,121	827
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities	33,457	19,341	40,357
Net cash provided by operating activities	56,310	43,936	54,422
Capital expenditures:	'	'	'
Equipment	-42,462	-29,294	-34,370
Land and buildings	-2,743	-440	-331
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment	2,080	2,955	1,535
Purchases of businesses	-80	-4,400	-962
Net cash used in investing activities	-43,205	-31,179	-34,128
Financing activities	'	'	'
Revolving credit facility borrowings/(payments), net	-4,200	4,200	-10,000
Borrowings/(payments) of notes payable	1,442	1,155	-1,821
Payments of long-term debt and capital leases	-583	-649	-955
Purchase of common shares for treasury	-21,887	-18,103	-14,222
Sale of common shares from treasury	9,582	10,735	7,316
Cash received on common-share subscriptions	1,285	1,841	0
Dividends	-2,530	-2,556	-2,362
Net cash used in financing activities	-16,891	-3,377	-22,044
Increase (Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-3,786	9,380	-1,750
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	19,647	10,267	12,017
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	$15,861	$19,647	$10,267

Our_Business

Our Business	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Our Business	'
	Our Business
	We provide a wide range of arboriculture, horticulture, environmental and consulting services to residential, utility, commercial and government entities throughout the United States and Canada. Our operating segments are organized by type or class of customer: Residential and Commercial Services, and Utility Services.
	Residential and Commercial Services--Residential and Commercial Services provides services to our residential and commercial customers including: the treatment, preservation, maintenance, removal, 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 Services--Utility Services 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, rights-of-way and chemical brush control; and, natural resource management and consulting, forestry research and development and environmental planning.
	We also maintain research, technical support and laboratory diagnostic facilities.
	When we refer to “we,” “us,” “our,” “Davey Tree,” and the “Company,” we mean The Davey Tree Expert Company, unless the context indicates otherwise.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation--The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Davey Tree and our wholly-owned subsidiaries and were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	Use of Estimates in Financial Statement Preparation--The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts. Estimates are used for, but not limited to, accounts receivable valuation, depreciable lives of fixed assets, self-insurance accruals, and revenue recognition. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Property and Equipment--Property and equipment are stated at cost. Repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is computed for financial reporting purposes by the straight-line method for land improvements, building and leasehold improvements and by the declining-balance method for equipment, based on the estimated useful lives of the assets, as follows:
	Land improvements	5 to 20 years
	Buildings	5 to 20 years
	Equipment	3 to 10 years
	Leasehold improvements	Shorter of lease term or estimated useful life; ranging from 5-to-20 years
	The amortization of assets acquired under capital leases is included in depreciation expense.
	Intangible Assets--Intangible assets with finite lives, primarily customer lists, noncompete agreements and tradenames, are amortized by the straight-line method based on their estimated useful lives, ranging from one-to-ten years.
	Long-Lived Assets--We assess potential impairment to our long-lived assets, other than goodwill, when there is evidence that events or changes in circumstances have made recovery of the asset’s carrying value unlikely and the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the estimated future undiscounted cash flow. In the event the assessment indicates that the carrying amounts
	B.	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
	may not be recoverable, an impairment loss would be recognized to reduce the asset’s carrying amount to its estimated fair value based on the present value of the estimated future cash flows.
	Goodwill--Goodwill is recorded when the cost of acquired businesses exceeds the fair value of the identified net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized, but tested for impairment annually or when events or circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. Annually, we perform the impairment tests for goodwill during the fourth quarter. Impairment of goodwill is tested at the reporting-unit level, which for us are also our business segments. Impairment of goodwill is tested by comparing the reporting unit’s carrying value, including goodwill, to the fair value of the reporting unit. The fair values of the reporting units are estimated using discounted projected cash flows. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, goodwill is considered impaired and a second step is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. We conducted our annual impairment tests and determined that no impairment loss was required to be recognized in 2013 or for any prior periods. There were no events or circumstances from the date of our assessment through December 31, 2013 that would impact this conclusion.
	Self-Insurance Accruals--We are generally self-insured for losses and liabilities related primarily to workers’ compensation, vehicle liability and general liability claims. We use commercial insurance as a risk-reduction strategy to minimize catastrophic losses. Ultimate losses are accrued based upon estimates of the aggregate liability for claims incurred using certain actuarial assumptions followed in the insurance industry and based on Company-specific experience.
	Our self-insurance accruals include claims for which the ultimate losses will develop over a period of years. Accordingly, our estimates of ultimate losses can change as claims mature. Our accruals also are affected by changes in the number of new claims incurred and claim severity. The methods for estimating the ultimate losses and the total cost of claims were determined by third-party consulting actuaries; the resulting accruals are reviewed by management, and any adjustments arising from changes in estimates are reflected in income.
	The workers' compensation accruals are discounted as the amount and timing of cash payments related to those accruals are reliably determinable given the nature of workers' compensation benefits and the level of historical claim volume to support the actuarial assumptions and judgments used to derive the expected loss payment pattern. The workers' compensation accruals are discounted using an interest rate that approximates the long-term investment yields over the expected payment pattern of unpaid losses.
	Our self-insurance accruals are based on estimates and, while we believe that the amounts accrued are adequate and not excessive, the ultimate claims may be in excess of or less than the amounts provided.
	Stock-Based Compensation--Stock-based compensation cost for all share-based payment plans is measured at fair value on the date of grant and recognized over the employee service period on the straight-line recognition method for awards expected to vest. The fair value of all stock-based payment plans—stock option plans, stock-settled stock appreciation rights, and performance-based restricted stock units as well as our Employee Stock Purchase Plan—is determined by the number of awards granted and the price of our common stock. The fair value of each award is estimated 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 share 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.
	Defined Benefit Pension Plans--We record annual expenses relating to our defined benefit pension plans based on calculations that include various actuarial assumptions, including discount rates and expected long-term rates of return on plan assets. Actuarial assumptions are reviewed annually with modifications made to the assumptions, if necessary, based on current rates and trends. The effects of the actuarial gains or losses are amortized over future service periods. The funded status (that is, the projected benefit obligation less the fair value of plan assets) for each plan is reported in our balance sheet
	B.	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
	using a December 31 measurement date. Changes in the funded status of the plans are recognized in the year in which the changes occur and reported in comprehensive income (loss).
	Income Taxes--We compute taxes on income in accordance with the tax rules and regulations where the income is earned. The income tax rates imposed by these taxing authorities vary. Taxable income may differ from pretax income for financial reporting purposes. We compute and recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of our assets and liabilities. Changes in tax rates and laws are reflected in income in the period when such changes are enacted. We account for uncertain tax positions by recognizing the financial statement effects of a tax position only when, based upon the technical merits, it is more-likely-than-not that the position will be sustained upon examination.
	Earnings Per Share--Basic earnings per share is determined by dividing the income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is computed similarly to basic earnings per share except that the weighted-average number of shares is increased to include the effect of stock awards that were granted and outstanding during the period.
	Revenue Recognition--Revenues from residential and commercial services are recognized as the services are provided and amounts are determined to be collectible. Revenues from contractual arrangements, primarily with utility services customers, are recognized based on costs incurred to total estimated contract costs. During the performance of such contracts, estimated final contract prices and costs are periodically reviewed and revisions are made, as required, to the revenue recognized. On cost-plus-fee contracts, revenue is recognized to the extent of costs incurred plus a proportionate amount of fees earned, and on time-and-material contracts, revenue is recognized to the extent of billable rates times hours worked, plus material and other reimbursable costs incurred. Revisions arise in the normal course of providing services to utility services customers and generally relate to changes in contract specifications and cost allowability. Such revisions are recorded when realization is probable and can be reliably estimated.
	Concentration of Credit Risk--Credit risk represents the accounting loss that would be recognized if the counterparties failed to perform as contracted. The principal financial instruments subject to credit risk follow:
	Cash--To limit our exposure, we transact our business and maintain banking relationships and our derivative contracts with high credit-quality financial institutions.
	Accounts Receivable--Our residential and commercial customers are located geographically throughout the United States and Canada and, as to commercial customers, within differing industries; thus, minimizing credit risk. The credit exposure of utility services customers is directly affected by conditions within the utility industries as well as the financial condition of individual customers. One utility services customer approximated 9% of revenues during 2013 and 10% in 2012 and 2011. To reduce credit risk, we evaluate the credit of customers, but generally do not require advance payments or collateral. Exposure to losses on receivables is principally dependent on each customer’s financial condition.
	Currency Translation Adjustments--All assets and liabilities of our Canadian operations are translated into United States dollars at year-end exchange rates while revenues and expenses are translated at weighted-average exchange rates in effect during the year. Translation adjustments are recorded as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders’ equity.
	Interest Rate Risk Management--We have entered into interest rate contracts, from time-to-time, with the objective of altering interest rate exposures related to variable rate debt. In the interest rate contracts, we have agreed with a financial institution to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed and floating interest amounts calculated on an agreed-upon notional principal amount.
	Comprehensive Income (Loss)--Comprehensive income (loss) includes net income and other comprehensive income or loss. Other comprehensive income (loss) refers to revenues, expenses, gains and losses that under U.S. GAAP are included in
	B.	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
	comprehensive income but are excluded from net income as these amounts are recorded directly as an adjustment to shareholders’ equity, net of tax.

Recent_Accounting_Guidance

Recent Accounting Guidance	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Recent Accounting Guidance	'
	Recent Accounting Guidance
	The FASB Accounting Standards Codification--Changes to U.S. GAAP are established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issuing Accounting Standards Updates (or “ASUs”) to the FASB's Accounting Standards Codification™ (the “Codification”). The Codification is the single source of nongovernmental authoritative U.S. GAAP in the United States. All other accounting guidance not included in the Codification is considered nonauthoritative. The Accounting Standards Updates are not authoritative in their own right; these updates serve only to update the Codification, provide background information about the guidance, and provide the bases for conclusions on the changes in the Codification.
	In the description of the ASU that follows, references relate to the Codification Topic and descriptive title.
	Accounting Standards Update 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income--In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-02, "Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income," which requires entities to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. In addition, entities are required to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line-items of net income but only if the amount reclassified is required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. For other amounts that are not required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety to net income, entities are required to cross-reference to other disclosures required under U.S. GAAP that provide additional detail on these amounts. ASU 2013-01 requires prospective adoption and effects financial statement presentation only. We adopted ASU 2013-02 as of the first quarter ended March 30, 2013 with no effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Business_Combinations

Business Combinations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Business Combinations	'
	Business Combinations
	Our investments in businesses were: (a) $110 in 2013, including no liabilities assumed and debt issued of $30; (b) $6,368 in 2012, including liabilities assumed of $1,868 and $100 debt issued; and (c) $1,527 in 2011, including liabilities assumed of $65 and $500 debt issued.
	The net assets of the businesses acquired are accounted for under the acquisition method and were recorded at their fair values at the dates of acquisition. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired was recorded as an increase in goodwill of approximately $1,820 in 2012 (of which $258 is deductible for tax purposes) and $426 in 2011 (all of which is deductible for tax purposes). There were no additions to goodwill in 2013.
	The results of operations of acquired businesses have been included in the 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 years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 or 2011 was not significant.
	Investment in Businesses Subsequent to December 31, 2013--Subsequent to December 31, 2013 and through the end of February 2014, we made investments in businesses approximating $2,650, including debt issued of $425.

Accounts_Receivable_Net_and_Su

Accounts Receivable, Net and Supplemental Balance Sheet Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounts Receivable, Net and Supplemental Balance Sheet Information [Abstract]	'
Accounts Receivable, Net and Supplemental Balance Sheet Information	'
	Accounts Receivable, Net and Supplemental Balance Sheet Information
	Accounts receivable, net, consisted of the following:
		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Accounts receivable	$	93,156	$	105,044
	Receivables under contractual arrangements	14,309		12,961
		107,465		118,005
	Less allowances for doubtful accounts	2,209		2,442
		$	105,256	$	115,563
	Receivables under contractual arrangements 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:
		December 31,
	Other current assets	2013		2012
	Refundable income taxes	$	5,317	$	—
	Deferred income taxes	7,715		8,815
	Other	813		2,593
	Total	$	13,845	$	11,408
		December 31,
	Other assets, noncurrent	2013		2012
	Assets invested for self-insurance	$	12,716	$	10,758
	Investment--cost-method affiliate	1,168		1,168
	Deferred income taxes	—		1,059
	Other	3,033		1,299
	Total	$	16,917	$	14,284
	E.	Accounts Receivable, Net and Supplemental Balance Sheet Information (continued)
		December 31,
	Accrued expenses	2013		2012
	Employee compensation	$	18,578	$	17,888
	Accrued compensated absences	6,953		7,080
	Self-insured medical claims	2,503		2,571
	Customer advances, deposits	2,191		1,346
	Income taxes payable	—		2,013
	Taxes, other than income	5,730		2,463
	Other	903		1,101
	Total	$	36,858	$	34,462
		December 31,
	Other liabilities, noncurrent	2013		2012
	Pension and retirement plans	$	7,760	$	14,513
	Deferred income taxes	2,564		—
	Other	1,956		3,367
	Total	$	12,280	$	17,880

LItigation_Settlement_and_Supp

LItigation Settlement and Supplemental Operating Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract]	'
LItigation Settlement and Supplemental Operating Information	'
	Litigation Settlement and Supplemental Operating Information
	Litigation Settlement
	During fourth quarter 2011, we recorded a pretax charge of $2,900 in connection with the proposed litigation Settlement Agreement, which was subject to final approval, related to the purported class-action suit filed in the State of California in and for the County of Alameda concerning off-duty meal periods and the required content of paycheck stubs. The Settlement Agreement required court approval of its terms. In August 2012, the Court granted final approval of the Settlement Agreement. Under the terms of the Settlement Agreement, the Company paid $2,900 during August 2012 that was previously recorded in the fourth quarter 2011.
	Other Nonoperating Income (Expense), Net
	Other nonoperating income (expense), net, included in the statements of operations follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Other nonoperating income (expense), net	$	(2,827	)	$	(2,611	)	$	(2,850	)
	Other nonoperating income (expense), net, includes foreign currency (i) losses of $146 for 2013, (ii) gains of $11 for 2012, and (iii) losses of $269 for 2011 on the intercompany balances of our Canadian operations.
	For 2011, other nonoperating income (expense), net, also included a writedown of $366 in the fourth quarter to reduce the carrying value of a cost-method affiliate that experienced an other-than-temporary impairment.

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa

Supplemental Cash Flow Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]	'
Supplemental Cash Flow Information	'
	Supplemental Cash Flow Information
	Supplemental cash flow information follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
	Supplemental cash flow information	2013			2012			2011
	Interest paid	$	2,732		$	2,683		$	3,882
	Income taxes paid, net	20,133			11,131			2,137
	Noncash transactions:
	Debt issued for purchases of businesses	$	30		$	100		$	500
	Detail of acquisitions:
	Assets acquired:
	Receivables	$	—		$	474		$	16
	Operating supplies	—			209			—
	Prepaid expense	—			47			—
	Equipment	—			1,826			321
	Intangibles	110			3,812			1,190
	Liabilities assumed	—			(1,868		)	(65		)
	Debt issued for purchases of businesses	(30		)	(100		)	(500		)
	Cash paid	$	80		$	4,400		$	962

Identified_Intangible_Assets_a

Identified Intangible Assets and Goodwill, Net	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Identified Intangible Assets and Goodwill, Net [Text Block]	'
	Identified Intangible Assets and Goodwill, Net
	The carrying amount of the identified intangibles and goodwill acquired in connection with our investments in businesses were as follows:
		Weighted-Average Amortization			December 31, 2013						December 31, 2012
		Period (Years)			Carrying			Accumulated			Carrying			Accumulated
					Amount			Amortization			Amount			Amortization
	Amortized intangible assets:
	Customer lists/relationships	4.3	years		$	14,168		$	11,137		$	14,378		$	10,319
	Employment-related	5.9	years		5,603			5,446			5,430			5,082
	Tradenames	4.3	years		4,405			3,634			4,528			3,267
	Total				24,176			$	20,217		24,336			$	18,668
	Less accumulated amortization				20,217						18,668
	Identified intangibles, net				3,959						5,668
	Unamortized intangible assets:
	Goodwill	Not amortized			23,602						23,515
					$	27,561					$	29,183
	H.	Identified Intangible Assets and Goodwill, Net (continued)
	The changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill, by segment, for the year ended December 31, 2013 follow:
		Balance at				Acquisitions			Translation			Balance at
		January 1,							and Other			December 31,
		2013							Adjustments			2013
	Utility Services	$	3,064			$	—		$	—		$	3,064
	Residential and Commercial Services	20,451				—			87			20,538
	Total	$	23,515			$	—		$	87		$	23,602
	Estimated future aggregate amortization expense of intangible assets--The estimated aggregate amortization expense of intangible assets, as of December 31, 2013, in each of the next five years follows:
			Estimated Future
			Amortization Expense
	Year ending December 31, 2014		$	1,330
	2015		1,128
	2016		915
	2017		580
	2018		6

ShortTerm_and_LongTerm_Debt

Short-Term and Long-Term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Short-Term and Long-Term Debt [Text Block]	'
	Short-Term and Long-Term Debt
	Short-term debt consisted of the following:
		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Current portion of long-term debt	$	8,434	$	6,992
	At December 31, 2013, we also had unused short-term lines of credit with several banks totaling $11,217, generally at the banks' prime rate or LIBOR plus a margin adjustment of .75% to 1.50%. Long-term debt consisted of the following:
		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Revolving credit facility
	Swing-line borrowings	$	—	$	—
	Prime rate borrowings	—		9,200
	LIBOR borrowings	20,000		15,000
		20,000		24,200
	Senior unsecured notes	30,000		30,000
	Term loans	8,468		7,579
		58,468		61,779
	Less current portion	8,434		6,992
		$	50,034	$	54,787
	Revolving Credit Facility and 5.09% Senior Unsecured Notes--In November 2013, the Company amended its revolving credit facility. The amended and restated credit agreement, which expires in November 2018, permits borrowings as defined up to $175,000 including a letter of credit sublimit of $100,000 and a swing-line commitment of $15,000 (the previous
	I.    Short-Term and Long-Term Debt (continued)
	agreement permitted borrowings up to $140,000 with a letter of credit sublimit of $100,000). Under certain circumstances, the amount available under the revolving credit facility may be increased to $210,000. 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 and a maximum balance sheet leverage ratio.
	On July 22, 2010, we issued $30,000 of 5.09% Senior Unsecured Notes, Series A, due July 22, 2020 (the "5.09% Senior Notes"). The 5.09% Senior Notes were issued pursuant to a Master Note Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”), between the Company and the purchasers of the 5.09% Senior Notes. The net proceeds of the 5.09% Senior Notes were used to pay down borrowings under our revolving credit facility.
	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 commence 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.
	As of December 31, 2013, we had unused commitments under the facility approximating $101,096, and $73,904 committed, which consisted of borrowings of $20,000 and issued letters of credit of $53,904. Borrowings outstanding bear interest, at Davey Tree’s option, of either (a) the base rate or (b) LIBOR plus a margin adjustment ranging from .75% 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 1.5%, or (iii) the federal funds rate plus .5%. A commitment fee ranging from .10% to .25% is also required based on the average daily unborrowed commitment.
	Term Loans, Weighted-Average Interest Rate--The weighted-average interest on the term loans approximated 2.04% at December 31, 2013 and 1.99% at December 31, 2012.
	Aggregate Maturities of Long-Term Debt--Aggregate maturities of long-term debt for the five years subsequent to December 31, 2013 were as follows: 2014--$8,434; 2015-- $34; 2016-- $6,000; 2017-- $6,000; and, 2018-- $26,000.

SelfInsurance_Accruals

Self-Insurance Accruals	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Self-Insurance Accruals [Abstract]	'
Self-Insurance Accruals [Text Block]	'
	Self-Insurance Accruals
	Components of our self-insurance accruals for workers’ compensation, vehicle liability and general liability follow:
		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Workers' compensation	$	35,199		$	40,450
	Present value discount	1,796			2,003
		33,403			38,447
	Vehicle liability	4,885			5,117
	General liability	18,424			18,169
	Total	56,712			61,733
	Less current portion	22,057			20,115
	Noncurrent portion	$	34,655		$	41,618
	J.	Self-Insurance Accruals (continued)
	The changes in our self-insurance accruals and the discount rate used for the workers’ compensation accrual are summarized in the table below.
		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Balance, beginning of year	$	61,733		$	57,265
	Provision for claims	27,084			29,590
	Payment of claims	32,105			25,122
	Balance, end of year	$	56,712		$	61,733
	Workers' compensation discount rate	2		%	1.9		%

Operating_Lease_Obligations

Operating Lease Obligations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Leases, Operating [Abstract]	'
Operating Lease Obligations [Text Block]	'
	Operating Lease Obligations
	We lease facilities under noncancelable operating leases, which are used for district office and warehouse operations. These leases extend for varying periods of time up to five years and, in some cases, contain renewal options. Minimum rental commitments under noncancelable operating leases, as of December 31, 2013 were as follows:
	Minimum lease obligations	Operating Lease
		Obligations
	Year ending December 31, 2014	$	4,477
	2015	3,119
	2016	2,348
	2017	1,455
	2018	1,016
	2019 and after	1,189
	Total minimum lease payments	$	13,604
	Total rent expense under all operating leases was $6,167 in 2013, $5,860 in 2012 and $6,233 in 2011.

Common_Shares_and_Preferred_Sh

Common Shares and Preferred Shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Common Shares and Preferred Shares [Text Block]	'
	Common Shares and Preferred Shares
	Preferred Shares--We have authorized a class of 4,000,000 preferred shares, no par value, of which none were issued.
	Common Shares--The number of common shares authorized is 24,000,000, par value $1.00. The number of common shares issued during each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013 was 21,456,880. The number of shares in the treasury for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013 was as follows: 2013--8,018,269; 2012--7,730,878; and 2011--7,611,245.
	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. 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. During 2013, purchases of common shares totaled 931,078 shares for $21,887 in cash; we also had direct sales to directors and employees of 16,095 shares for $374, excluding those shares issued through either the exercise of options or the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. We also sold 51,099 shares to our 401(k) plan for $1,187 and issued 113,692 shares to participant accounts to satisfy our liability for the
	L.	Common Shares and Preferred Shares (continued)
	2012 employer match in the amount of $2,643. The liability accrued at December 31, 2013 for the 2013 employer match was $2,788. There were also 118,444 shares purchased during 2013 under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
	Common Shares Outstanding--The table below reconciles the activity of the common shares outstanding:
		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Shares outstanding, beginning of year	13,726,002		13,845,635
	Shares purchased	(931,078	)	(891,704	)
	Shares sold	299,330		327,442
	Stock subscription offering, employee cash purchases	25,837		76,525
	Options exercised	318,520		368,104
		(287,391	)	(119,633	)
	Shares outstanding, end of year	13,438,611		13,726,002
	On December 31, 2013, we had 13,438,611 common shares outstanding, employee and director options exercisable to purchase 342,146 common shares, partially-paid subscription for 531,325 common shares and purchase rights outstanding for 204,972 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 $19.70 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 637,714 common shares for $12,563 at $19.70 per share.
	Under the plan, a participant in the offering purchasing common shares for an aggregate purchase price of less than $5 had 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 can be made either by payroll deductions or annual lump-sum payments of both principal and interest.
	Common shares purchased under the plan have been pledged as security for the payment of the promissory note and the common shares will not be issued until the promissory note is paid-in-full. Dividends will be paid on all subscribed shares, subject to forfeiture to the extent that payment is 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 $19.70 per share for every three common shares purchased under the plan. As a result of the stock subscription, employees were granted rights to purchase 211,800 common shares. Each right may be exercised at the rate of one-seventh per year and will expire seven years after the date that the right was granted. Employees may not exercise a right should they cease to be employed by the Company.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	Comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of net income and other adjustments that relate to foreign currency translation adjustments, changes in the fair value of interest rate contracts qualifying as cash flow hedges, and defined benefit pension plan adjustments. We do not provide income taxes on currency translation adjustments, as the earnings of our Canadian operations are considered to be indefinitely reinvested.
	M.	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (continued)
	The following summarizes the components of other comprehensive income (loss) accumulated in shareholders’ equity:
			Foreign			Interest			Defined			Accumulated
			Currency			Rate Cash			Benefit			Other
			Translation			Flow Hedges			Pension			Comprehensive
			Adjustments						Plans			Income/(Loss)
	Balance at January 1, 2011		$	3,459		$	(645	)	$	(5,886	)	$	(3,072	)
	Unrealized gains (losses)		(509		)	—			—			(509		)
	Unrealized gains in fair value		—			917			—			917
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		—			—			481			481
	Tax effect		—			—			(184		)	(184		)
	Unrecognized amounts from defined benefit pension plans		—			—			(6,592		)	(6,592		)
	Tax effect		—			(349		)	2,964			2,615
	Net of tax amount		(509		)	568			(3,331		)	(3,272		)
	Balance at December 31, 2011		$	2,950		$	(77	)	$	(9,217	)	$	(6,344	)
	Unrealized gains (losses)		561			—			—			561
	Unrealized gains in fair value		—			123			—			123
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		—			—			1,268			1,268
	Tax effect		—			—			(507		)	(507		)
	Unrecognized amounts from defined benefit pension plans		—			—			(3,712		)	(3,712		)
	Tax effect		—			(46		)	1,542			1,496
	Net of tax amount		561			77			(1,409		)	(771		)
	Balance at December 31, 2012		$	3,511		$	—		$	(10,626	)	$	(7,115	)
	Unrealized gains (losses)		(1,864		)	—			—			(1,864		)
	Unrealized gains in fair value		—			—			—			—
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		—			—			1,401			1,401
	Tax effect		—			—			(532		)	(532		)
	Unrecognized amounts from defined benefit pension plans		—			—			6,306			6,306
	Tax effect		—			—			(2,589		)	(2,589		)
	Net of tax amount		(1,864		)	—			4,586			2,722
	Balance at December 31, 2013		$	1,647		$	—		$	(6,040	)	$	(4,393	)
	The amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to defined benefit pension plans for 2013, 2012 and 2011 are included in net periodic pension expense and classified in the statement of operations as costs and expenses, general and administrative.

The_Davey_401KSOP_and_Employee

The Davey 401KSOP and Employee Stock Ownership Plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
The Davey 401KSOP and Employee Stock Ownership Plan	'
	The Davey 401KSOP and Employee Stock Ownership Plan
	On March 15, 1979, we consummated a plan, which transferred control of the Company to our employees. As a part of this plan, we initially sold 120,000 common shares (presently, 11,520,000 common shares adjusted for stock splits) to our 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.
	N.	The Davey 401KSOP and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (continued)
	Defined Contribution and Savings Plans--Most employees are eligible to participate in The Davey 401KSOP and ESOP. 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, 2009 we match, in either cash or our common shares, 100% of the first one percent and 50% of the next three percent of each participant's before-tax contribution, limited to the first four 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.
	Total compensation for these plans, consisting primarily of the employer match, was $2,788 in 2013, $2,643 in 2012, and $2,473 in 2011.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	Stock-Based Compensation
	The Davey Tree Expert Company 2004 Omnibus Stock Plan (the “Stock Plan”) was approved by our shareholders at our annual shareholders' meeting in May 2004. The Stock Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, with the maximum number of common shares that may be granted to or purchased by all employees and directors under the Stock Plan being 10,000,000. In addition to the maintenance of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the Stock Plan provides for the grant of stock options, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights, stock purchase rights, stock equivalent units, cash awards, and other stock or performance-based incentives. These awards are payable in cash or common shares, or any combination thereof, as established by the Compensation Committee. The grant of awards, other than director options, is at the discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. As of December 31, 2013, there were 329,887 shares available for grant.
	Stock-Based Plans--The Stock Plan consolidates into a single plan provisions for the grant of stock options and other stock-based incentives and maintenance of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Prior to adoption of the Stock Plan and its predecessor, the 1994 Omnibus Stock Plan, we had two qualified stock option plans available for officers and management employees; the final grant of awards under those plans was December 10, 1993. The maximum number of shares that may be issued upon exercise of stock options, other than director options and nonqualified stock options is 3,200,000 during the ten-year term of the Stock Plan. Presently, (i) each continuing nonemployee director receives an annual award of 3,000 stock-settled stock appreciation rights that vest ratably over five years and, (ii) prior to 2009, each nonemployee director elected or appointed received a director option with the right to purchase, for six years, 4,000 common shares at the fair market value per share at date of grant, exercisable six months from the date of grant.
	Stock-based compensation expense under all share-based payment plans—our Employee Stock Purchase Plan, stock option plans, stock-settled stock appreciation rights, and performance-based restricted stock units—included in the results of operations follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013				2012				2011
	Compensation expense, all share-based payment plans	$	1,411			$	1,508			$	1,349
	Income tax benefit	348				383				329
	Stock-based compensation consisted of the following:
	O.	Stock-Based Compensation (continued)
	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. Purchases under the plan, at 85% of the fair market value of the common shares, have been as follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013				2012				2011
	Number of employees participating	1,500				1,157				1,272
	Shares purchased during the year	118,444				136,947				150,253
	Weighted-average per share purchase price paid	$	20.01			$	17.2			$	15.46
	Cumulative shares purchased since 1982	8,636,226				8,517,782				8,380,835
	Compensation costs are recognized as payroll deductions are made. The 15% discount of total shares purchased under the plan resulted in compensation cost recognized of $417 in 2013, $415 in 2012 and $410 in 2011.
	Stock Option Plans--Stock options awarded before January 1, 2006 were granted at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our common shares at the dates of grant. Stock-options awarded on or after January 1, 2006 were required to be measured at fair value. At December 31, 2013, there were 662,246 stock options outstanding that were awarded after January 1, 2006. The stock options were awarded under a graded vesting schedule 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 $234 in 2013, $166 in 2012 and $269 in 2011.
	Stock-Settled Stock Appreciation Rights--During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors awarded 117,280 Stock-Settled Stock Appreciation Rights (“SSARs”) to certain management employees and nonemployee directors, which vest ratably over five years. A stock-settled stock appreciation right is an award that allows the recipient to receive common stock equal to the appreciation in the fair market value of our common stock between the date the award was granted and the conversion date of the shares vested.
	The following table summarizes the SSARs as of December 31, 2013:
	Stock-Settled		Number of			Weighted-				Weighted-		Unrecognized		Aggregate
	Stock Appreciation Rights		Rights			Average Award Date Value				Average		Compensation Cost		Intrinsic Value
										Remaining Contractual Life
	Unvested, January 1, 2013		257,817			$	3.17
	Granted		117,280			3.17
	Forfeited		—			—
	Vested		(91,644	)		3.23
	Unvested, December 31, 2013		283,453			$	3.15			2.2 years		$	630	$	6,775
	Employee SSARs		253,720			$	3.24			2.1 years		$	575	$	6,064
	Nonemployee Director SSARs		29,733			$	2.32			2.5 years		$	55	$	711
	Compensation costs for stock appreciation rights are determined using a fair-value method and amortized over the requisite service period. Compensation expense for stock appreciation rights totaled $315 in 2013, $283 in 2012 and $185 in 2011.
	O.	Stock-Based Compensation (continued)
	Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units--During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors awarded 42,290 Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units ("PRSUs") to certain management employees.
	Similar awards were made in prior periods. The awards vest over specified periods. The following table summarizes
	Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units as of December 31, 2013:
	Performance-Based		Number of			Weighted-				Weighted-		Unrecognized		Aggregate
	Restricted Stock Units		Stock Units			Average				Average		Compensation		Intrinsic
						Grant Date Value				Remaining		Cost		Value
										Contractual Life
	Unvested, January 1, 2013		78,653			$	16.87
	Granted		42,290			21.67
	Forfeited		—			—
	Vested		(25,385	)		16.73
	Unvested, December 31, 2013		95,558			$	19.03			2.8 years		$	1,098	$	2,284
	Employee PRSUs		86,252			$	18.69			2.9 years		$	932	$	2,062
	Nonemployee Director PRSUs		9,306			$	22.18			2.3 years		$	166	$	222
	The fair value of the restricted stock units for awards made prior to January 1, 2006 is based on the market price of our common shares on the date of award and is recognized as compensation cost on the straight-line recognition method over the vesting period. Compensation cost for awards made after December 31, 2005 is determined using a fair-value method, amortized over the requisite service period. “Intrinsic value” is defined as the amount by which the fair market value of a common share of stock exceeds the exercise price of a performance-based restricted stock unit. Compensation expense on restricted stock awards totaled $445 in 2013, $644 in 2012 and $485 in 2011.
	For stock-based awards issued on or after January 1, 2006, the fair value of each award was estimated 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 share 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:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Volatility rate	11.3	%		11.7	%		11.9	%
	Risk-free interest rate	2.1	%		1.6	%		2.9	%
	Expected dividend yield	1.5	%		1.5	%		1.5	%
	Expected life of awards (years)	9.4			9.1			8.9
	O.	Stock-Based Compensation (continued)
	General Stock Option Information--The following table summarizes activity under the stock option plans for the year ended December 31, 2013:
	Stock Options		Number of			Weighted-				Weighted-		Unrecognized		Aggregate
			Options			Average				Average		Compensation		Intrinsic
			Outstanding			Exercise				Remaining		Cost		Value
						Price				Contractual
										Life
Outstanding, January 1, 2013		761,254			$	11.38
Granted		198,500			23.2
Exercised		(297,508	)		7.47
Forfeited		—			—
Outstanding, December 31, 2013		662,246			$	16.68			5.9 years		$	867	$	4,784
Exercisable, December 31, 2013		342,146			$	13.02			3.7 years				$	3,724
“Intrinsic value” is defined as the amount by which the market price of a common share of stock exceeds the exercise price of an option. Information regarding the stock options outstanding at December 31, 2013 is summarized below:
Stock Options			Number			Weighted-Average		Weighted-				Number	Weighted-
Exercise Price			Outstanding			Remaining		Average				Exercisable	Average
						Contractual Life		Exercise					Exercise
								Price					Price
Employee options:
$11.25			220,791			2.4 years		$	11.25			220,791	$	11.25
16			128,221			5.8 years		16				72,621	16
16.6			109,400			6.8 years		16.6				43,400	16.6
23.2			198,500			9.5 years		23.2				—	23.2
			656,912			6.0 years		$	16.68			336,812	$	12.96
Director options:
$16.40			5,334			0.7 years		$	16.4			5,334	$	16.4
			662,246			5.9 years		$	16.68			342,146	$	13.02
We issue common shares from treasury upon the exercise of stock options, stock-settled stock appreciation rights, performance-based restricted stock units or purchases under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

Defined_Benefit_Pension_Plans

Defined Benefit Pension Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Defined Benefit Pension Plans	'
	Defined Benefit Pension Plans
	We have defined benefit pension plans covering certain current and retired U.S. employees. Plans include: (i) the Employee Retirement Plan (“ERP”); (ii) a plan for bargaining employees not covered by union pension plans (the “SPP”) for which future benefit accruals were frozen effective December 31, 2013; (iii) a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”); and, (iv) a Benefit Restoration Pension Plan (“Restoration Plan”) for certain key employees.
	Both the SERP and the Restoration Plan are defined benefit plans under which nonqualifed supplemental pension benefits will be paid in addition to amounts paid under our qualified retirement defined benefit pension plans, which are subject to Internal Revenue Service limitations on covered compensation.
	P.	Defined Benefit Pension Plans (continued)
	In addition to the freeze of SPP benefit accruals effective December 31, 2013, during 2008, our Board of Directors approved an amendment to freeze the ERP and the Restoration Plan, effective December 31, 2008 and implemented enhanced benefits to our defined contribution saving plan-The Davey 401KSOP and ESOP-effective January 1, 2009. The ERP was closed to new participants after December 2008. In connection with the freeze of the ERP and Restoration Plan, (i) benefits currently being paid to retirees continue and (ii) benefits accrued through December 31, 2008 for employees covered by the ERP were not affected. All ERP and Restoration Plan balances remain intact and participant account balances, as well as service credits for vesting and retirement eligibility, remain intact and continue in accordance with the terms of the plans. The 2008 freeze of the ERP and Restoration Plan eliminated future accruals only as did the 2013 freeze of the SPP.
	The change in benefit obligations and the fair value of plans assets follows:
		December 31,
		2013				2012
	Change in benefit obligation
	Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	36,045			$	32,148
	Service cost	222				185
	Interest cost	1,515				1,657
	Actuarial (gains)/losses	(4,272		)		4,604
	Settlements	—				(356		)
	Benefits paid	(1,622		)		(2,193		)
	Projected benefit obligation at end of year	$	31,888			$	36,045
	Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year	$	31,599			$	35,790
		December 31,
		2013				2012
	Change in fair value of plan assets
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	22,957			$	22,078
	Actual return on plan assets	3,793				2,588
	Employer contributions	626				840
	Settlements	—				(356		)
	Benefits paid	(1,622		)		(2,193		)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	25,754			$	22,957
		December 31,
		2013				2012
	Funded status of the plans
	Fair value of plan assets	$	25,754			$	22,957
	Projected benefit obligation	31,888				36,045
	Funded status of the plans	$	(6,134	)		$	(13,088	)
	P.	Defined Benefit Pension Plans (continued)
		December 31,
		2013				2012
	Amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets
	Current liability	$	(37	)		$	(27	)
	Noncurrent liability	(6,097		)		(13,061		)
	Funded status of the plans	$	(6,134	)		$	(13,088	)
	Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), related to our defined benefit pension plans follow:
		At December 31, 2013								At December 31, 2012
		Pretax				Net of Tax				Pretax			Net of Tax
	Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income
	Unrecognized net actuarial loss	$	9,942			$	5,995			$	17,636		$	10,577
	Unrecognized prior service cost	69				45				82			49
		$	10,011			$	6,040			$	17,718		$	10,626
	To the extent actuarial losses exceed the greater of 10% of the projected benefit obligation or market-related value of plan assets, the unrecognized actuarial losses will be amortized straight-line on a plan-by-plan basis, over the remaining expected future working lifetime of active participants. The total amount of unrecognized prior service cost is also amortized straight-line on a plan-by-plan basis. The total amortization associated with these amounts that is expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit expense for 2014 follows:
		Year ending December 31, 2014
		Pretax				Net of Tax
	Amortization of Costs Expected to be Recognized Next Year
	Unrecognized net actuarial loss	$	708			$	425
	Unrecognized prior service cost	14				8
		$	722			$	433
	The aggregate projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for plans in which the fair value of plan assets is less than either the projected benefit obligation or accumulated benefit obligation follow:
		December 31,
		2013				2012
	For pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets
	Projected benefit obligation	$	31,888			$	36,045
	Accumulated benefit obligation	31,599				35,790
	Fair value of plan assets	25,754				22,957
	P.	Defined Benefit Pension Plans (continued)
	The actuarial assumptions follow. The discount rates were used to measure the year-end benefit obligation and compute pension expense for the subsequent year.
		December 31,
	2013			2012			2011
Actuarial assumptions
Discount rate	5.2	%		4.25	%		5.25	%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets	7.75			7.75			7.75
Net periodic benefit expense (income) associated with the defined benefit pension plans included the following components:
	Year Ended December 31,
	2013				2012				2011
Components of pension expense (income)
Service costs--increase in benefit obligation earned	$	222			$	185			$	134
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	1,515				1,657				1,671
Expected return on plan assets	(1,760		)		(1,701		)		(1,908		)
Settlement loss	—				219				—
Amortization of net actuarial loss	1,388				1,041				535
Amortization of prior service cost	14				14				14
Amortization of transition asset	—				—				(68		)
Net pension expense of defined benefit pension plans	$	1,379			$	1,415			$	378
Investment Strategy and Risk Management for Plan Assets--Our investment strategy is to manage the plan assets in order to pay retirement benefits to plan participants while minimizing our cash contributions over the life of the plans. This is accomplished by preserving capital through diversification in high-quality investments through the use of investment managers and mutual funds. Performance of all investment managers and mutual funds is monitored quarterly and evaluated over rolling three-to-five year periods.
The plan assets are divided into asset classes that include equity, fixed income, and alternative investments and allocated among target allocations to include: (a) equities of a minimum 55% to a maximum of 65%; (b) fixed income and cash of a minimum 20% to a maximum of 30%; and, (c) alternative investments of a minimum of zero to a maximum of 15%. The purpose of the equity asset class is to provide a total return that simultaneously provides for growth in principal and current income while at the same time preserving the purchasing power of the plan assets, even though assets invested in equities have greater market volatility and risk. The purpose of the fixed income asset class is to provide a deflation hedge, to reduce the overall volatility of plan assets and to produce current income in support of the needs of the plan. The purpose of alternative investments is the diversification benefit of alternative strategies.
Equity assets are to be allocated within certain ranges among the asset categories of large cap growth and value; small/midcap growth and value; and international growth and value. Each of the equity asset categories are assigned to an appropriate asset manager or mutual fund. Fixed income assets are allocated within a certain range to mutual funds of fixed income securities. Alternative investment assets are allocated within a certain range to mutual funds and may include the use of leverage. Short-selling, securities lending, financial futures, margins, options, and derivatives are not used. Investments in nonmarketable securities, commodities, or direct ownership of real estate are prohibited.
Rate-of-return-on-assets assumptions are made by major category of plan assets according to historical analysis, tempered for an assessment of possible future influences that could cause the returns to exceed or trail long-term patterns. The overall expected long-term rate-of-return-on-plan assets net of investment manager fees as at December 31, 2013, was 7.75%.
P.	Defined Benefit Pension Plans (continued)
Plan Assets--The fair values of our pension plan assets at December 31, 2013 by asset category, using the three-level hierarchy of fair value inputs, were as follows:
						Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2013 Using:
Description		Total Carrying				Quoted prices				Significant			Significant
		Value at				in				other observable			unobservable
		31-Dec-13				active markets				inputs			inputs
						(Level 1)				(Level 2)			(Level 3)
Asset Category
Money market funds		$	1,726			$	—			$	1,726		$	—
U.S. large-cap equities
Growth		3,639				3,639				—			—
Value		2,971				2,971				—			—
U.S. small/mid-cap equities
Growth		1,813				1,813				—			—
Value		1,959				1,959				—			—
International equities
Growth		2,718				2,718				—			—
Value		2,622				2,622				—			—
Fixed income		4,423				4,423				—			—
Multiclass world-allocation mutual funds		3,883				3,883				—			—
		$	25,754			$	24,028			$	1,726		$	—
The fair values of our pension plan assets at December 31, 2012 by asset category, using the three-level hierarchy of fair value inputs, were as follows:
						Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2012 Using:
Description		Total Carrying				Quoted prices				Significant			Significant
		Value at				in				other observable			unobservable
		31-Dec-12				active markets				inputs			inputs
						(Level 1)				(Level 2)			(Level 3)
Asset Category
Money market funds		$	2,494			$	—			$	2,494		$	—
U.S. large-cap equities
Growth		2,482				2,482				—			—
Value		1,767				1,767				—			—
U.S. small/mid-cap equities
Growth		1,516				1,516				—			—
Value		2,149				2,149				—			—
International equities
Growth		2,183				2,183				—			—
Value		2,083				2,083				—			—
Fixed income		4,654				4,654				—			—
Multiclass world-allocation mutual funds		3,629				3,629				—			—
		$	22,957			$	20,463			$	2,494		$	—
P.	Defined Benefit Pension Plans (continued)
Within the pension plan asset categories, the Level 1 investments are publicly traded in active markets and are valued using the net asset value or closing price of the investment at the measurement date. Securities held by a money market fund are generally high quality and liquid; however, they are reflected as Level 2 because the inputs used to determine fair value are not quoted prices in an active market.
Expected Benefit Plan Contributions--We expect, as of December 31, 2013, to make defined-benefit contributions totaling $1,467 before December 31, 2014.
Expected Benefit Plan Payments--The benefits, as of December 31, 2013, expected to be paid to defined-benefit plan participants in each of the next five years, and in the aggregate for the five years thereafter, follow:
		Participants Benefits
Estimated future payments
Year ending December 31, 2014		$	1,374
2015		1,448
2016		1,545
2017		1,668
2018		1,728
Years 2019 to 2023		9,664
Multiemployer Defined Benefit Pension Plans--In providing services to our Utility Services customers, we contribute to multiemployer defined benefit pension plans under the terms of collective-bargaining agreements that cover certain of our union-represented employees.
These plans generally provide retirement benefits to participants based on their service to contributing employers. We do not administer these multiemployer plans. In general, these plans are managed by a board of trustees with the unions appointing certain trustees and other contributing employers of the plan appointing certain members. We generally are not represented on the board of trustees.
The risks of participating in these multiemployer plans are different from single-employer plans in that: (a) assets contributed to the multiemployer plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers; (b) if a participating employer stops contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be assumed by the remaining participating employers; and, (c) if we choose to stop participating in a multiemployer plan, we may be required to pay the plan an amount based on the underfunded status of the plan, referred to as a withdrawal liability.
Our participation in the multiemployer defined benefit pension plans is summarized in the table below. The “EIN/Pension Plan Number” column provides the Employer Identification Number (“EIN”) and the three-digit plan number. The most recent Pension Protection Act of 2006 (the “PPA”) zone status is from the Form 5500, “Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan,” filed by the plan and certified by the plan's actuary. The PPA zone status describes plans that are underfunded. Among other factors, plans in the “critical” red zone are generally less than 65% funded; plans in the “endangered” yellow zone are less than 80% funded; and, plans in the “safe” green zone are at least 80% funded.
P.	Defined Benefit Pension Plans (continued)
Pension Fund		EIN/Pension		Pension				FIB/RP		Davey Tree							Surcharge	Expiration
		Plan Number		Protection Act				Status		Contributions							Imposed	Dates of
				Zone Status				Pending										Bargaining
				2013		2012		Implemented		2013			2012		2011			Agreement
National Electric Benefit Fund		53-0181657/001		Green		Green		No		$	755		$	417	$	442	No	Ranging from June 30, 2014 to
																		31-Dec-17
Eighth District Electrical Pension Fund		84-6100393/001		Green		Green		No		100			75		60		No	31-Dec-14
										$	855		$	492	$	502
We were not listed in the Form 5500 for either plan as having provided more than 5% of the total contributions.
Both the National Electric Benefit Fund and the Eighth District Electrical Pension Fund are green zone status--safe--which represents at least 80% funded and does not require a “financial improvement plan” (“FIP”) or a “rehabilitation plan” (“RP”).
The Eighth District Electrical Pension Fund for the plan year March 31, 2012 extended the amortization period used in the green-zone certification; specifically, the Rehabilitation Plan for the plan year ended March 31, 2009: (a) utilized the special 30-year amortization rules provided under federal pension law to amortize its investment loss for the plan year ended March 31, 2009, (b) expanded asset smoothing of this investment loss from five-years to ten-years, and (c) required a 25% increase in the pension-contribution rate in effect on April 1, 2009. The extended amortization period was not used in the PPA zone-status for Eighth District Electrical Pension plan for (i) the green-zone certification for the plan year ended March 31, 2011 and (ii) the green-zone certification for the plan year ended March 31, 2013.
We are party to eight collective-bargaining agreements with the National Electric Benefit Fund, with expiration dates ranging from June 30, 2014 to December 31, 2017 and one collective-bargaining agreement with Eighth District Electrical Pension Fund with an expiration date of December 31, 2014.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	Income before income taxes was attributable to the following sources:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013				2012				2011
	United States	$	29,203			$	35,414			$	18,261
	Canada	6,362				5,244				5,039
	Total	$	35,565			$	40,658			$	23,300
	Q.	Income Taxes (continued)
	The provision for income taxes follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013				2012				2011
	Currently payable:
	Federal	$	7,089			$	15,853			$	3,065
	State	2,183				2,239				2,277
	Canadian	1,724				1,578				1,565
	Total current	10,996				19,670				6,907
	Deferred taxes	1,716				(3,607		)		2,328
	Total taxes on income	$	12,712			$	16,063			$	9,235
	A reconciliation of the expected statutory U.S. federal rate to our actual effective income tax rate follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Statutory U.S. federal tax rate	35	%		35	%		35	%
	State income taxes, net of federal benefit	3.6			3.9			5.1
	Effect of Canadian income taxes	(1.6	)		(1.0	)		(1.2	)
	Nondeductible expenses	1.9			1.4			2.5
	ESOP dividend deduction	(.8	)		(.7	)		(1.2	)
	Audit settlements and uncertain tax adjustments	(2.2	)		1.8			1.8
	Valuation allowance on foreign tax credits	—			—			(1.1	)
	All other, net	(.2	)		(.9	)		(1.3	)
	Effective income tax rate	35.7	%		39.5	%		39.6	%
	Deferred income taxes reflect the tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes.  A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more-likely-than-not that an income tax benefit will not be realized.
	Significant components of our current net deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, were as follows:
		December 31,
		2013				2012
	Deferred tax assets:
	Accrued compensation obligations	$	1,883			$	2,424
	Self-insurance accruals	7,693				7,083
	Prepaid expenses	(2,565		)		(1,903		)
	Other, net	908				1,405
		7,919				9,009
	Less deferred tax asset valuation allowance	204				194
	Net deferred income tax assets--current	$	7,715			$	8,815
	Q.	Income Taxes (continued)
	Significant components of our noncurrent net deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, were as follows:
		December 31,
		2013				2012
	Deferred tax assets:
	Self-insurance accruals	$	12,129			$	14,497
	Intangibles	(234		)		(341		)
	Accrued expenses and other liabilities	895				895
	Accrued stock compensation	1,550				1,476
	Defined benefit pension plans	1,873				4,698
	Foreign tax credit carryforward	768				768
	Other future deductible amounts, net	1,737				1,470
		18,718				23,463
	Less deferred tax asset valuation allowance	564				574
		18,154				22,889
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Property and equipment	20,718				21,830
		20,718				21,830
	Net deferred tax assets--noncurrent					$	1,059
	Net deferred tax liabilities--noncurrent	$	2,564
	We treat all of our Canadian subsidiary earnings through December 31, 2013 as permanently reinvested and have not provided any U.S. federal or state tax thereon. As of December 31, 2013, approximately $27,000 of retained earnings attributable to our Canadian operations was considered to be indefinitely invested. Presently, our intention is to reinvest the earnings permanently.
If, in the future, these earnings are distributed to the U.S. in the form of dividends or otherwise, or if the Company determines such earnings will be remitted in the foreseeable future, the Company would be subject to U.S. income taxes and Canadian withholding taxes. It is not practicable to estimate the amount of taxes that would be payable upon remittance of these earnings given the various tax planning alternatives that we could employ should we decide to repatriate those earnings.
A deferred tax asset has been recorded for the portion of the foreign tax credit that is unavailable in the current year--the foreign tax credit carryforward arising in 2010--wherein we repatriated earnings of our Canadian operations due to capital in Canada in excess of current and future projected needs.  As a result, we recognized and recorded in 2010 additional U.S. federal and state taxes that were payable as a result of the repatriation of the previously undistributed earnings. A valuation allowance is required when it is more-likely-than-not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. Because of the uncertainty regarding realization, a valuation allowance equal to the U.S. tax benefit of the foreign tax credit carryforward is recorded--$768 at December 31, 2013--which is subject to expiration in 2020, if not utilized.
Q.	Income Taxes (continued)
The amount of income taxes we pay is subject to audit by U.S. federal, state, local and Canadian tax authorities, which may result in proposed assessments. Our estimate for the potential outcome for any uncertain tax issue is highly judgmental. Uncertain tax positions are recognized only if they are more-likely-than-not to be upheld during examination based on their technical merits. The measurement of the uncertain tax position is based on the largest benefit amount that is more-likely-than-not (determined on a cumulative probability basis) to be realized upon settlement of the matter. If payment of these amounts ultimately proves to be unnecessary, the reversal of the liabilities would result in tax benefits being recognized in the period when we determine the liabilities are no longer necessary. If the estimate of tax liabilities proves to be less than the ultimate settlement, a further charge to expense may result.
The balance of unrecognized benefits and the amount of related interest and penalties at December 31, were as follows:
	December 31,
	2013				2012
Unrecognized tax benefits	$	1,221			$	2,638
Portion, if recognized, would reduce tax expense and effective tax rate	942				1,933
Accrued interest on unrecognized tax benefits	41				142
Accrued penalties on unrecognized benefits	—				—
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 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. During the fourth quarter 2013, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service completed its audit of the Company's U.S. income tax returns for 2010 and 2011 and, during 2010, Canada Revenue Agency completed its audit of the Company's Canadian operations for 2006, 2007 and 2008. With the exception of U.S. state jurisdictions, the Company is no longer subject to examination by tax authorities for the years through 2009. As of December 31, 2013, we believe it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will not significantly increase or decrease.
The changes in our unrecognized tax benefits are summarized in the table below:
	Year Ended December 31,
	2013				2012				2011
Balance, beginning of year	$	2,638			$	1,825			$	1,524
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	370				667				279
Additions for tax positions of prior years	133				149				101
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(1,155		)		(3		)		(61		)
Reductions related to settlements with taxing authorities	(460		)		—				—
Lapses in statutes of limitations	(305		)		—				(18		)
Balance, end of year	$	1,221			$	2,638			$	1,825

Earnings_Per_Share_Information

Earnings Per Share Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share Information	'
	Earnings Per Share Information
	Earnings per share is computed as follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
	Income available to common shareholders:
	Net income	$	22,853	$	24,595	$	14,065
	Weighted-average shares:
	Basic:
	Outstanding	13,639,356		13,867,771		14,006,093
	Partially-paid share subscriptions	531,325		234,595		—
	Basic weighted-average shares	14,170,681		14,102,366		14,006,093
	Diluted:
	Basic from above	14,170,681		14,102,366		14,006,093
	Incremental shares from assumed:
	Exercise of stock subscription purchase rights	34,273		5,750		—
	Exercise of stock options and awards	397,478		500,741		530,779
	Diluted weighted-average shares	14,602,432		14,608,857		14,536,872
	Share data:
	Earnings per share--basic	$	1.61	$	1.74	$	1
	Earnings per share--diluted	$	1.57	$	1.68	$	0.97

Operations_by_Business_Segment

Operations by Business Segment and Geographic Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Operations by Business Segment and Geographic Information	'
	Operations by Business Segment and Geographic Information
	We provide a wide range of arboriculture, horticulture, 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 Services, and Utility Services.
	Residential and Commercial Services--Residential and Commercial Services provides services to our residential and commercial customers including: the treatment, preservation, maintenance, removal, 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 Services--Utility Services 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, 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.”
	During the fourth quarter 2013, the Company realigned its reporting to more closely reflect the manner in which performance is assessed and decisions are made in allocating resources to the segments. The amounts in the table below for 2012 and 2011 have been conformed to the 2013 reporting.
	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. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies except that (a) we compute and recognize depreciation expense for our segments only by the straight-line method and (b) state income taxes are
	S.	Operations by Business Segment and Geographic Information (continued)
	allocated to the segments. Corporate expenses are substantially allocated among the operating segments, but the nature of expenses allocated may differ from year-to-year. There are no intersegment revenues.
	Segment assets are those generated or directly used by each segment, and include accounts receivable, operating supplies, and property and equipment.
	S.	Operations by Business Segment and Geographic Information (continued)
	Information on reportable segments and reconciliation to the consolidated financial statements follows:
		Utility		Residential		All			Reconciling				Consolidated
		Services		Commercial		Other			Adjustments
				Services
	Fiscal Year 2013
	Revenues	$	376,520	$	334,878	$	2,450		$	—			$	713,848
	Income (loss) from operations	16,070		33,566		(2,869		)	(5,978		)	(a)	40,789
	Interest expense								(2,708		)		(2,708		)
	Interest income								311				311
	Other income (expense), net								(2,827		)		(2,827		)
	Income before income taxes												$	35,565
	Depreciation	$	22,261	$	13,286	$	—		$	2,684		(b)	$	38,231
	Amortization	359		1,440		—			181				1,980
	Capital expenditures	21,642		17,577		—			5,986				45,205
	Segment assets, total	145,021		122,542		—			65,815			(c)	333,378
	Fiscal Year 2012
	Revenues	$	375,300	$	303,420	$	1,433		$	—			$	680,153
	Income (loss) from operations	20,107		30,787		(1,366		)	(3,761		)	(a)	45,767
	Interest expense								(2,698		)		(2,698		)
	Interest income								200				200
	Other income (expense), net								(2,611		)		(2,611		)
	Income before income taxes												$	40,658
	Depreciation	$	22,844	$	12,236	$	—		$	2,285		(b)	$	37,365
	Amortization	465		1,058		—			219				1,742
	Capital expenditures	15,737		10,266		—			3,731				29,734
	Segment assets, total	150,294		122,298		—			58,340			(c)	330,932
	Fiscal Year 2011
	Revenues	$	363,365	$	280,938	$	1,731		$	—			$	646,034
	Income (loss) from operations	13,541		24,243		1,342			(6,325		)	(a)	32,801
	Interest expense								(3,794		)		(3,794		)
	Interest income								43				43
	Litigation settlement								(2,900		)		(2,900		)
	Other income (expense), net								(2,850		)		(2,850		)
	Income before income taxes												$	23,300
	Depreciation	$	23,734	$	12,157	$	—		$	1,927		(b)	$	37,818
	Amortization	466		1,039		—			403				1,908
	Capital expenditures	17,241		13,362		—			4,098				34,701
	Segment assets, total	137,689		105,552		—			60,493			(c)	303,734
	S.	Operations by Business Segment and Geographic Information (continued)
	Reconciling adjustments from segment reporting to consolidated external financial reporting include unallocated corporate items:
	(a)	Reconciling adjustments from segment reporting to consolidated external financial reporting include reclassification of depreciation expense and allocation of corporate expenses.
	(b)	Adjustments to declining-balance method depreciation expense from straight-line method and depreciation and amortization of corporate assets.
	(c)	Corporate assets include cash, prepaid expenses, corporate facilities, enterprise-wide information systems and other nonoperating assets.
	Geographic Information--The following presents revenues and long-lived assets by geographic territory:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
	Revenues
	United States	$	637,524	$	607,339	$	577,613
	Canada	76,324		72,814		68,421
		$	713,848	$	680,153	$	646,034
		December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
Long-lived assets, net
United States	$	166,598	$	153,946	$	141,108
Canada	14,764		15,237		16,121
	$	181,362	$	169,183	$	157,229

Fair_Value_Measurements_and_Fi

Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments	'
	Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments
	Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or 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--A valuation hierarchy is used for presentation of the inputs 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. Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly through market corroboration, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs based on our own assumptions used to measure assets and liabilities at fair value. A financial asset or liability’s classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
	T.	Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments (continued)
	Our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, were as follows:
						Fair Value Measurements at
						December 31, 2013 Using:
			Total			Quoted prices in active markets			Significant			Significant
			Carrying						other observable			unobservable
			Value at						inputs			inputs
	Description		December 31, 2013			(Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	Assets:
	Assets invested for self-insurance, classified as other assets, noncurrent		$	12,716		$	12,716		$	—		$	—
	Defined benefit pension plan assets		25,754			24,028			1,726			—
	Liabilities:
	Deferred compensation		$	1,144		$	—		$	1,144		$	—
						Fair Value Measurements at
						December 31, 2012 Using:
			Total			Quoted prices in active markets			Significant			Significant
			Carrying						other observable			unobservable
			Value at						inputs			inputs
	Description		December 31, 2012			(Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	Assets:
	Assets invested for self-insurance, classified as other assets, noncurrent		$	10,758		$	10,758		$	—		$	—
	Fuel derivatives, classified as other current assets		38			—			38			—
	Defined benefit pension plan assets		22,957			20,463			2,494			—
	Liabilities:
	Fuel derivatives, classified as accrued expenses		$	24		$	—		$	24		$	—
	Deferred compensation		873			—			873			—
	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.
	T.	Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments (continued)
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments--The fair values of our current 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. The assets invested for self-insurance are money market funds--classified as Level 1--based on quoted market prices of the identical underlying securities in active markets. The estimated fair value of our derivative instruments are calculated based on market rates to settle the instruments, as discussed below, representing the amount we would receive upon sale or pay upon transfer. Financial instruments classified as noncurrent liabilities and their carrying values and fair values were as follows:
		December 31, 2013						December 31, 2012
		Carrying			Fair			Carrying			Fair
		Value			Value			Value			Value
	Revolving credit facility, noncurrent	$	20,000		$	20,000		$	24,200		$	24,200
	Senior unsecured notes	30,000			28,219			30,000			29,762
	Term loans, noncurrent	34			34			587			587
	Total	$	50,034		$	48,253		$	54,787		$	54,549
	The carrying value of our revolving credit facility approximates fair value as the interest rates on the amounts outstanding are variable. The fair value of our senior unsecured notes and term loans is determined based on expected future weighted-average interest rates with the same remaining maturities.
	Market Risk and Derivative Financial Instruments
	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.
	Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk--We are exposed to market risk related to foreign currency exchange rate risk resulting from our operations in Canada. Our financial results could be affected by factors such as changes in the foreign currency exchange rate or differing economic conditions in the Canadian markets as compared with the markets for our services in the United States. Our earnings are affected by translation exposures from currency fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar as compared to the Canadian dollar. Similarly, the Canadian dollar-denominated assets and liabilities may result in financial exposure as to the timing of transactions and the net asset/liability position of our Canadian operations. Presently, we do not engage in hedging activities related to our foreign currency exchange rate risk.
	Interest Rate Risk--We are exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates on long-term debt obligations. We regularly monitor and measure our interest rate risk and, to the extent that we believe we are exposed, from time-to-time we have entered into interest rate swap contracts--derivative financial instruments--with the objective of altering interest rate exposures related to a portion of variable debt.
	Interest Rate Swaps--From time-to-time we have held interest rate swap contracts--cash-flow hedges--to effectively convert a portion of our variable-rate revolving credit borrowings to a fixed rate, thus reducing the impact of interest-rate changes on future interest expense. Under the contracts, we agree with the counterparty to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between variable rate and fixed rate amounts calculated on a notional principal amount. During the first quarter 2012, all interest rate swap contracts previously entered into expired.
	T.	Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments (continued)
	Fuel Derivatives--Beginning in the second quarter 2011, we entered into fuel derivatives as “economic hedges” related to fuel consumed by Davey Tree service vehicles. The objectives of the economic hedges are to fix the price of a portion of our fuel needs and mitigate the earnings and cash flow volatility attributable to the risk of changing prices. During the fourth quarter 2013, all fuel derivative contracts previously entered into expired.
	The following tables sets forth quantitative information related to our derivatives instruments and where these amounts are recorded in our consolidated financial statements.
			As of December 31,
			2013			2012
	Economic Hedges - Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
	Fuel Derivatives:
	Asset fair value of fuel derivatives, classified as other current assets		$	—		$	38
	Liability fair value of fuel derivatives, classified as accrued expenses		$	—		$	24
	Liability fair value of fuel derivatives, classified as other noncurrent liabilities		$	—		$	—
	Longest remaining term, in months		—			12
	Notional hedged volume, in thousands of gallons		—			1,250
			Year Ended December 31,
			2013			2012
	Cash Flow Hedges - Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
	Interest Rate Swaps:
	Hedge gains, recognized in other comprehensive income		$	—		$	123
	Economic Hedges - Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Fuel Derivatives:
Change in fair value, recognized in results of operations, as a reduction in costs and expenses, operating		$	139		$	650

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Commitments and Contingencies
	Letters of Credit
	At December 31, 2013, we were contingently liable to our principal banks in the amount of $54,909 for letters of credit outstanding primarily related to insurance coverage.
	Surety Bonds
	In certain circumstances, we have performance obligations that are supported by surety bonds in connection with our contractual commitments.
	Litigation
	We are party to a number of lawsuits, threatened lawsuits and other claims arising out of the normal course of business.
	With respect to all such matters, we record an accrual for a loss contingency when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. In addition, narrative information is provided for matters as to which management believes a material loss is reasonably possible.
	Management has assessed all such matters, including the matter described below, based on current information and made a judgment concerning their potential outcome, giving due consideration to the nature of the claim, the amount and nature of damages sought and the probability of success.  Management's judgment is made subject to the known uncertainty of litigation and management's judgment as to estimates made may prove materially different from actual results.
	California Fire Litigation: San Diego County--Davey Tree Surgery Company, a Davey subsidiary, and Davey Resource Group, a Davey division, along with the Company have previously been sued, together with a utility services customer, San Diego Gas & Electric ("SDG&E"), and its parent company, as defendants, and as cross-defendants in cross-complaints filed by SDG&E, in the Superior Court of the State of California in and for the County of San Diego, arising out of a wildfire in San Diego County that started on October 22, 2007, referred to as the Rice Canyon fire.
	Numerous lawsuits related to the Rice Canyon fire were filed against SDG&E, its parent company, Sempra Energy, and Davey. The earliest of the lawsuits naming Davey was filed on April 18, 2008. The Court ordered that the lawsuits be organized into four groups based on type of plaintiff, namely insurance subrogation claimants, individual/business claimants, governmental claimants, and plaintiffs seeking class certification. Plaintiffs' motions seeking class certification were denied and the orders denying class certification were affirmed on appeal. SDG&E filed cross-complaints against Davey for contractual indemnity, declaratory relief, and breach of contract. SDG&E has settled many of the third-party claims and asserted its claims against Davey for indemnity.
	During the third quarter 2012, Davey entered into a Settlement and Release Agreement (the “Agreement”) among Davey, SDG&E and Davey's insurers.
	Under the Agreement (a) Davey paid SDG&E an amount previously expensed and accrued as self-insurance, (b) Davey's insurers paid SDG&E amounts under Davey's insurance policies in effect during the period of the Rice Canyon fire, and (c) SDG&E dismissed its cross-complaints against Davey and agreed to defend and hold harmless Davey from any and all claims that are currently asserted against Davey.

Quarterly_Results_of_Operation

Quarterly Results of Operations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)	'
	Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)
	The following is a summary of the results of operations for each quarter of 2013 and 2012.
		Fiscal 2013, Three Months Ended
		30-Mar			29-Jun		28-Sep		31-Dec
	Revenues	$	143,265		$	195,638	$	194,772	$	180,173
	Gross profit (revenues less costs and expenses, operating)	42,205			76,046		69,114		63,837
	Income (loss) from operations	(6,009		)	23,230		14,881		8,687
	Net income (loss)	(4,612		)	13,436		8,644		5,385
	Net income (loss) per share--Basic	$	(.33	)	$	0.97	$	0.63	$	0.34
	Net income (loss) per share -- Diluted:	$	(.33	)	$	0.94	$	0.61	$	0.35
	ESOT Valuation per share	$	23.2		$	23.2	$	23.9	$	26.4
		Fiscal 2012, Three Months Ended
		31-Mar			30-Jun		29-Sep		31-Dec
	Revenues	$	146,644		$	182,411	$	178,647	$	172,451
	Gross profit (revenues less costs and expenses, operating)	46,760			65,939		64,544		65,578
	Income (loss) from operations	508			17,270		14,652		13,337
	Net income (loss)	(571		)	9,416		8,296		7,454
	Net income (loss) per share -- Basic	$	(.04	)	$	0.68	$	0.59	$	0.51
	Net income (loss) per share -- Diluted	$	(.04	)	$	0.66	$	0.56	$	0.5
	ESOT Valuation per share	$	19.7		$	19.7	$	20.8	$	23.2
	Fourth quarters 2013 and 2012 include a decrease in casualty insurance expense that had the effect of increasing the fourth quarter gross profit for 2013 and 2012 by approximately $5,402 and $5,136, respectively.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation [Text Block]	'
	Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation--The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Davey Tree and our wholly-owned subsidiaries and were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates in Financial Statement Preparation [Policy Text Block]	'
	Use of Estimates in Financial Statement Preparation--The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts. Estimates are used for, but not limited to, accounts receivable valuation, depreciable lives of fixed assets, self-insurance accruals, and revenue recognition. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Property and Equipment [Policy Text Block]	'
	Property and Equipment--Property and equipment are stated at cost. Repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is computed for financial reporting purposes by the straight-line method for land improvements, building and leasehold improvements and by the declining-balance method for equipment, based on the estimated useful lives of the assets, as follows:
	Land improvements	5 to 20 years
	Buildings	5 to 20 years
	Equipment	3 to 10 years
	Leasehold improvements	Shorter of lease term or estimated useful life; ranging from 5-to-20 years
	The amortization of assets acquired under capital leases is included in depreciation expense.
Intangible Assets [Policy Text Block]	'
	Intangible Assets--Intangible assets with finite lives, primarily customer lists, noncompete agreements and tradenames, are amortized by the straight-line method based on their estimated useful lives, ranging from one-to-ten years.
Long-Lived Assets [Policy Text Block]	'
	Long-Lived Assets--We assess potential impairment to our long-lived assets, other than goodwill, when there is evidence that events or changes in circumstances have made recovery of the asset’s carrying value unlikely and the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the estimated future undiscounted cash flow. In the event the assessment indicates that the carrying amounts
Goodwill [Policy Text Block]	'
	Goodwill--Goodwill is recorded when the cost of acquired businesses exceeds the fair value of the identified net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized, but tested for impairment annually or when events or circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. Annually, we perform the impairment tests for goodwill during the fourth quarter. Impairment of goodwill is tested at the reporting-unit level, which for us are also our business segments. Impairment of goodwill is tested by comparing the reporting unit’s carrying value, including goodwill, to the fair value of the reporting unit. The fair values of the reporting units are estimated using discounted projected cash flows. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, goodwill is considered impaired and a second step is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. We conducted our annual impairment tests and determined that no impairment loss was required to be recognized in 2013 or for any prior periods. There were no events or circumstances from the date of our assessment through December 31, 2013 that would impact this conclusion.
Self-Insurance Accruals [Policy Text Block]	'
	Self-Insurance Accruals--We are generally self-insured for losses and liabilities related primarily to workers’ compensation, vehicle liability and general liability claims. We use commercial insurance as a risk-reduction strategy to minimize catastrophic losses. Ultimate losses are accrued based upon estimates of the aggregate liability for claims incurred using certain actuarial assumptions followed in the insurance industry and based on Company-specific experience.
	Our self-insurance accruals include claims for which the ultimate losses will develop over a period of years. Accordingly, our estimates of ultimate losses can change as claims mature. Our accruals also are affected by changes in the number of new claims incurred and claim severity. The methods for estimating the ultimate losses and the total cost of claims were determined by third-party consulting actuaries; the resulting accruals are reviewed by management, and any adjustments arising from changes in estimates are reflected in income.
	The workers' compensation accruals are discounted as the amount and timing of cash payments related to those accruals are reliably determinable given the nature of workers' compensation benefits and the level of historical claim volume to support the actuarial assumptions and judgments used to derive the expected loss payment pattern. The workers' compensation accruals are discounted using an interest rate that approximates the long-term investment yields over the expected payment pattern of unpaid losses.
	Our self-insurance accruals are based on estimates and, while we believe that the amounts accrued are adequate and not excessive, the ultimate claims may be in excess of or less than the amounts provided.
Stock-Based Compensation [Policy Text Block]	'
	Stock-Based Compensation--Stock-based compensation cost for all share-based payment plans is measured at fair value on the date of grant and recognized over the employee service period on the straight-line recognition method for awards expected to vest. The fair value of all stock-based payment plans—stock option plans, stock-settled stock appreciation rights, and performance-based restricted stock units as well as our Employee Stock Purchase Plan—is determined by the number of awards granted and the price of our common stock. The fair value of each award is estimated 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 share 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.
Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Policy Text Block]	'
	Defined Benefit Pension Plans--We record annual expenses relating to our defined benefit pension plans based on calculations that include various actuarial assumptions, including discount rates and expected long-term rates of return on plan assets. Actuarial assumptions are reviewed annually with modifications made to the assumptions, if necessary, based on current rates and trends. The effects of the actuarial gains or losses are amortized over future service periods. The funded status (that is, the projected benefit obligation less the fair value of plan assets) for each plan is reported in our balance sheet
Income Taxes [Policy Text Block]	'
	Income Taxes--We compute taxes on income in accordance with the tax rules and regulations where the income is earned. The income tax rates imposed by these taxing authorities vary. Taxable income may differ from pretax income for financial reporting purposes. We compute and recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of our assets and liabilities. Changes in tax rates and laws are reflected in income in the period when such changes are enacted. We account for uncertain tax positions by recognizing the financial statement effects of a tax position only when, based upon the technical merits, it is more-likely-than-not that the position will be sustained upon examination.
Earnings Per Share [Policy Text Block]	'
	Earnings Per Share--Basic earnings per share is determined by dividing the income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is computed similarly to basic earnings per share except that the weighted-average number of shares is increased to include the effect of stock awards that were granted and outstanding during the period.
Revenue Recognition [Policy Text Block]	'
	Revenue Recognition--Revenues from residential and commercial services are recognized as the services are provided and amounts are determined to be collectible. Revenues from contractual arrangements, primarily with utility services customers, are recognized based on costs incurred to total estimated contract costs. During the performance of such contracts, estimated final contract prices and costs are periodically reviewed and revisions are made, as required, to the revenue recognized. On cost-plus-fee contracts, revenue is recognized to the extent of costs incurred plus a proportionate amount of fees earned, and on time-and-material contracts, revenue is recognized to the extent of billable rates times hours worked, plus material and other reimbursable costs incurred. Revisions arise in the normal course of providing services to utility services customers and generally relate to changes in contract specifications and cost allowability. Such revisions are recorded when realization is probable and can be reliably estimated.
Concentration of Credit Risk [Policy Text Block]	'
	Concentration of Credit Risk--Credit risk represents the accounting loss that would be recognized if the counterparties failed to perform as contracted. The principal financial instruments subject to credit risk follow:
	Cash--To limit our exposure, we transact our business and maintain banking relationships and our derivative contracts with high credit-quality financial institutions.
	Accounts Receivable--Our residential and commercial customers are located geographically throughout the United States and Canada and, as to commercial customers, within differing industries; thus, minimizing credit risk. The credit exposure of utility services customers is directly affected by conditions within the utility industries as well as the financial condition of individual customers. One utility services customer approximated 9% of revenues during 2013 and 10% in 2012 and 2011. To reduce credit risk, we evaluate the credit of customers, but generally do not require advance payments or collateral. Exposure to losses on receivables is principally dependent on each customer’s financial condition.
Major Customers, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	One utility services customer approximated 9% of revenues during 2013 and 10% in 2012 and 2011.
Currency Translation Adjustments [Policy Text Block]	'
	Currency Translation Adjustments--All assets and liabilities of our Canadian operations are translated into United States dollars at year-end exchange rates while revenues and expenses are translated at weighted-average exchange rates in effect during the year. Translation adjustments are recorded as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders’ equity.
Interst Rate Risk Management [Policy Text Block]	'
	Interest Rate Risk Management--We have entered into interest rate contracts, from time-to-time, with the objective of altering interest rate exposures related to variable rate debt. In the interest rate contracts, we have agreed with a financial institution to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed and floating interest amounts calculated on an agreed-upon notional principal amount.
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Policy Text Block]	'
	Comprehensive Income (Loss)--Comprehensive income (loss) includes net income and other comprehensive income or loss. Other comprehensive income (loss) refers to revenues, expenses, gains and losses that under U.S. GAAP are included in
	B.	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
	comprehensive income but are excluded from net income as these amounts are recorded directly as an adjustment to shareholders’ equity, net of tax.
Business Combinations Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	The net assets of the businesses acquired are accounted for under the acquisition method and were recorded at their fair values at the dates of acquisition.
Commitments and Contingencies, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	We are party to a number of lawsuits, threatened lawsuits and other claims arising out of the normal course of business.
	With respect to all such matters, we record an accrual for a loss contingency when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. In addition, narrative information is provided for matters as to which management believes a material loss is reasonably possible.
	Management has assessed all such matters, including the matter described below, based on current information and made a judgment concerning their potential outcome, giving due consideration to the nature of the claim, the amount and nature of damages sought and the probability of success.  Management's judgment is made subject to the known uncertainty of litigation and management's judgment as to estimates made may prove materially different from actual results.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]	'
	Depreciation is computed for financial reporting purposes by the straight-line method for land improvements, building and leasehold improvements and by the declining-balance method for equipment, based on the estimated useful lives of the assets, as follows:
	Land improvements	5 to 20 years
	Buildings	5 to 20 years
	Equipment	3 to 10 years
	Leasehold improvements	Shorter of lease term or estimated useful life; ranging from 5-to-20 years

Accounts_Receivable_Net_and_Su1

Accounts Receivable, Net and Supplemental Balance Sheet Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounts Receivable, Net and Supplemental Balance Sheet Information [Abstract]	'
Schedule of accounts receivable [Table Text Block]	'
	E.	Accounts Receivable, Net and Supplemental Balance Sheet Information
	Accounts receivable, net, consisted of the following:
		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Accounts receivable	$	93,156	$	105,044
	Receivables under contractual arrangements	14,309		12,961
		107,465		118,005
	Less allowances for doubtful accounts	2,209		2,442
		$	105,256	$	115,563
Schedule of other current assets [Table Text Block]	'
	The following items comprise the amounts included in the balance sheets:
		December 31,
	Other current assets	2013		2012
	Refundable income taxes	$	5,317	$	—
	Deferred income taxes	7,715		8,815
	Other	813		2,593
	Total	$	13,845	$	11,408
Schedule of other assets, noncurrent [Table Text Block]	'
		December 31,
	Other assets, noncurrent	2013		2012
	Assets invested for self-insurance	$	12,716	$	10,758
	Investment--cost-method affiliate	1,168		1,168
	Deferred income taxes	—		1,059
	Other	3,033		1,299
	Total	$	16,917	$	14,284
Schedule of accrued liabilities [Table Text Block]	'
		December 31,
	Accrued expenses	2013		2012
	Employee compensation	$	18,578	$	17,888
	Accrued compensated absences	6,953		7,080
	Self-insured medical claims	2,503		2,571
	Customer advances, deposits	2,191		1,346
	Income taxes payable	—		2,013
	Taxes, other than income	5,730		2,463
	Other	903		1,101
	Total	$	36,858	$	34,462
Other liabilities, noncurrent [Table Text Block]	'
		December 31,
	Other liabilities, noncurrent	2013		2012
	Pension and retirement plans	$	7,760	$	14,513
	Deferred income taxes	2,564		—
	Other	1,956		3,367
	Total	$	12,280	$	17,880

LItigation_Settlement_and_Supp1

LItigation Settlement and Supplemental Operating Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Table Text Block]	'
	Other nonoperating income (expense), net, included in the statements of operations follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Other nonoperating income (expense), net	$	(2,827	)	$	(2,611	)	$	(2,850	)

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa1

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]	'
Supplemental Cash Flow Informations [Table Text Block]	'
	Supplemental cash flow information follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
	Supplemental cash flow information	2013			2012			2011
	Interest paid	$	2,732		$	2,683		$	3,882
	Income taxes paid, net	20,133			11,131			2,137
	Noncash transactions:
	Debt issued for purchases of businesses	$	30		$	100		$	500
	Detail of acquisitions:
	Assets acquired:
	Receivables	$	—		$	474		$	16
	Operating supplies	—			209			—
	Prepaid expense	—			47			—
	Equipment	—			1,826			321
	Intangibles	110			3,812			1,190
	Liabilities assumed	—			(1,868		)	(65		)
	Debt issued for purchases of businesses	(30		)	(100		)	(500		)
	Cash paid	$	80		$	4,400		$	962

Identified_Intangible_Assets_a1

Identified Intangible Assets and Goodwill, Net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Table Text Block]	'
	The carrying amount of the identified intangibles and goodwill acquired in connection with our investments in businesses were as follows:
		Weighted-Average Amortization			December 31, 2013						December 31, 2012
		Period (Years)			Carrying			Accumulated			Carrying			Accumulated
					Amount			Amortization			Amount			Amortization
	Amortized intangible assets:
	Customer lists/relationships	4.3	years		$	14,168		$	11,137		$	14,378		$	10,319
	Employment-related	5.9	years		5,603			5,446			5,430			5,082
	Tradenames	4.3	years		4,405			3,634			4,528			3,267
	Total				24,176			$	20,217		24,336			$	18,668
	Less accumulated amortization				20,217						18,668
	Identified intangibles, net				3,959						5,668
	Unamortized intangible assets:
	Goodwill	Not amortized			23,602						23,515
					$	27,561					$	29,183
Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]	'
	The changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill, by segment, for the year ended December 31, 2013 follow:
		Balance at				Acquisitions			Translation			Balance at
		January 1,							and Other			December 31,
		2013							Adjustments			2013
	Utility Services	$	3,064			$	—		$	—		$	3,064
	Residential and Commercial Services	20,451				—			87			20,538
	Total	$	23,515			$	—		$	87		$	23,602
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]	'
	Estimated future aggregate amortization expense of intangible assets--The estimated aggregate amortization expense of intangible assets, as of December 31, 2013, in each of the next five years follows:
			Estimated Future
			Amortization Expense
	Year ending December 31, 2014		$	1,330
	2015		1,128
	2016		915
	2017		580
	2018		6

ShortTerm_and_LongTerm_Debt_Ta

Short-Term and Long-Term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Short-term Debt [Table Text Block]	'
	Short-term debt consisted of the following:
		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Current portion of long-term debt	$	8,434	$	6,992
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block]	'
	Long-term debt consisted of the following:
		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Revolving credit facility
	Swing-line borrowings	$	—	$	—
	Prime rate borrowings	—		9,200
	LIBOR borrowings	20,000		15,000
		20,000		24,200
	Senior unsecured notes	30,000		30,000
	Term loans	8,468		7,579
		58,468		61,779
	Less current portion	8,434		6,992
		$	50,034	$	54,787

SelfInsurance_Accruals_Tables

Self-Insurance Accruals (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Self-Insurance Accruals [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Self-Insurance Accruals [Table Text Block]	'
	Components of our self-insurance accruals for workers’ compensation, vehicle liability and general liability follow:
		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Workers' compensation	$	35,199		$	40,450
	Present value discount	1,796			2,003
		33,403			38,447
	Vehicle liability	4,885			5,117
	General liability	18,424			18,169
	Total	56,712			61,733
	Less current portion	22,057			20,115
	Noncurrent portion	$	34,655		$	41,618
Schedule of Changes in Self-Insurance Accruals [Table Text Block]	'
	The changes in our self-insurance accruals and the discount rate used for the workers’ compensation accrual are summarized in the table below.
		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Balance, beginning of year	$	61,733		$	57,265
	Provision for claims	27,084			29,590
	Payment of claims	32,105			25,122
	Balance, end of year	$	56,712		$	61,733
	Workers' compensation discount rate	2		%	1.9		%

Operating_Lease_Obligations_Ta

Operating Lease Obligations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Leases, Operating [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block]	'
	Minimum rental commitments under noncancelable operating leases, as of December 31, 2013 were as follows:
	Minimum lease obligations	Operating Lease
		Obligations
	Year ending December 31, 2014	$	4,477
	2015	3,119
	2016	2,348
	2017	1,455
	2018	1,016
	2019 and after	1,189
	Total minimum lease payments	$	13,604

Common_Shares_and_Preferred_Sh1

Common Shares and Preferred Shares (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Stock by Class [Table Text Block]	'
	Common Shares Outstanding--The table below reconciles the activity of the common shares outstanding:
		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Shares outstanding, beginning of year	13,726,002		13,845,635
	Shares purchased	(931,078	)	(891,704	)
	Shares sold	299,330		327,442
	Stock subscription offering, employee cash purchases	25,837		76,525
	Options exercised	318,520		368,104
		(287,391	)	(119,633	)
	Shares outstanding, end of year	13,438,611		13,726,002

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	'
	The following summarizes the components of other comprehensive income (loss) accumulated in shareholders’ equity:
		Foreign			Interest			Defined			Accumulated
		Currency			Rate Cash			Benefit			Other
		Translation			Flow Hedges			Pension			Comprehensive
		Adjustments						Plans			Income/(Loss)
	Balance at January 1, 2011	$	3,459		$	(645	)	$	(5,886	)	$	(3,072	)
	Unrealized gains (losses)	(509		)	—			—			(509		)
	Unrealized gains in fair value	—			917			—			917
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	—			—			481			481
	Tax effect	—			—			(184		)	(184		)
	Unrecognized amounts from defined benefit pension plans	—			—			(6,592		)	(6,592		)
	Tax effect	—			(349		)	2,964			2,615
	Net of tax amount	(509		)	568			(3,331		)	(3,272		)
	Balance at December 31, 2011	$	2,950		$	(77	)	$	(9,217	)	$	(6,344	)
	Unrealized gains (losses)	561			—			—			561
	Unrealized gains in fair value	—			123			—			123
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	—			—			1,268			1,268
	Tax effect	—			—			(507		)	(507		)
	Unrecognized amounts from defined benefit pension plans	—			—			(3,712		)	(3,712		)
	Tax effect	—			(46		)	1,542			1,496
	Net of tax amount	561			77			(1,409		)	(771		)
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	3,511		$	—		$	(10,626	)	$	(7,115	)
	Unrealized gains (losses)	(1,864		)	—			—			(1,864		)
	Unrealized gains in fair value	—			—			—			—
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	—			—			1,401			1,401
	Tax effect	—			—			(532		)	(532		)
	Unrecognized amounts from defined benefit pension plans	—			—			6,306			6,306
	Tax effect	—			—			(2,589		)	(2,589		)
	Net of tax amount	(1,864		)	—			4,586			2,722
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	1,647		$	—		$	(6,040	)	$	(4,393	)

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Disclosure of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [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, and performance-based restricted stock units—included in the results of operations follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013				2012				2011
	Compensation expense, all share-based payment plans	$	1,411			$	1,508			$	1,349
	Income tax benefit	348				383				329
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Activity [Table Text Block]	'
	Purchases under the plan, at 85% of the fair market value of the common shares, have been as follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013				2012				2011
	Number of employees participating	1,500				1,157				1,272
	Shares purchased during the year	118,444				136,947				150,253
	Weighted-average per share purchase price paid	$	20.01			$	17.2			$	15.46
	Cumulative shares purchased since 1982	8,636,226				8,517,782				8,380,835
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Appreciation Rights Award Activity [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes the SSARs as of December 31, 2013:
	Stock-Settled		Number of			Weighted-				Weighted-		Unrecognized		Aggregate
	Stock Appreciation Rights		Rights			Average Award Date Value				Average		Compensation Cost		Intrinsic Value
										Remaining Contractual Life
	Unvested, January 1, 2013		257,817			$	3.17
	Granted		117,280			3.17
	Forfeited		—			—
	Vested		(91,644	)		3.23
	Unvested, December 31, 2013		283,453			$	3.15			2.2 years		$	630	$	6,775
	Employee SSARs		253,720			$	3.24			2.1 years		$	575	$	6,064
	Nonemployee Director SSARs		29,733			$	2.32			2.5 years		$	55	$	711
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock Units Award Activity [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes
	Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units as of December 31, 2013:
	Performance-Based		Number of			Weighted-				Weighted-		Unrecognized		Aggregate
	Restricted Stock Units		Stock Units			Average				Average		Compensation		Intrinsic
						Grant Date Value				Remaining		Cost		Value
										Contractual Life
	Unvested, January 1, 2013		78,653			$	16.87
	Granted		42,290			21.67
	Forfeited		—			—
	Vested		(25,385	)		16.73
	Unvested, December 31, 2013		95,558			$	19.03			2.8 years		$	1,098	$	2,284
	Employee PRSUs		86,252			$	18.69			2.9 years		$	932	$	2,062
	Nonemployee Director PRSUs		9,306			$	22.18			2.3 years		$	166	$	222
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:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Volatility rate	11.3	%		11.7	%		11.9	%
	Risk-free interest rate	2.1	%		1.6	%		2.9	%
	Expected dividend yield	1.5	%		1.5	%		1.5	%
	Expected life of awards (years)	9.4			9.1			8.9
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes activity under the stock option plans for the year ended December 31, 2013:
	Stock Options		Number of			Weighted-				Weighted-		Unrecognized		Aggregate
			Options			Average				Average		Compensation		Intrinsic
			Outstanding			Exercise				Remaining		Cost		Value
						Price				Contractual
										Life
	Outstanding, January 1, 2013		761,254			$	11.38
	Granted		198,500			23.2
	Exercised		(297,508	)		7.47
	Forfeited		—			—
	Outstanding, December 31, 2013		662,246			$	16.68			5.9 years		$	867	$	4,784
	Exercisable, December 31, 2013		342,146			$	13.02			3.7 years				$	3,724
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, by Exercise Price Range [Table Text Block]	'
	Information regarding the stock options outstanding at December 31, 2013 is summarized below:
	Stock Options			Number			Weighted-Average		Weighted-				Number	Weighted-
	Exercise Price			Outstanding			Remaining		Average				Exercisable	Average
							Contractual Life		Exercise					Exercise
									Price					Price
	Employee options:
	$11.25			220,791			2.4 years		$	11.25			220,791	$	11.25
	16			128,221			5.8 years		16				72,621	16
	16.6			109,400			6.8 years		16.6				43,400	16.6
	23.2			198,500			9.5 years		23.2				—	23.2
				656,912			6.0 years		$	16.68			336,812	$	12.96
	Director options:
	$16.40			5,334			0.7 years		$	16.4			5,334	$	16.4
				662,246			5.9 years		$	16.68			342,146	$	13.02

Defined_Benefit_Pension_Plans_

Defined Benefit Pension Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Changes in Projected Benefit Obligations [Table Text Block]	'
	The change in benefit obligations and the fair value of plans assets follows:
		December 31,
		2013				2012
	Change in benefit obligation
	Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	36,045			$	32,148
	Service cost	222				185
	Interest cost	1,515				1,657
	Actuarial (gains)/losses	(4,272		)		4,604
	Settlements	—				(356		)
	Benefits paid	(1,622		)		(2,193		)
	Projected benefit obligation at end of year	$	31,888			$	36,045
	Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year	$	31,599			$	35,790
Schedule of Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]	'
		December 31,
		2013				2012
	Change in fair value of plan assets
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	22,957			$	22,078
	Actual return on plan assets	3,793				2,588
	Employer contributions	626				840
	Settlements	—				(356		)
	Benefits paid	(1,622		)		(2,193		)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	25,754			$	22,957
Schedule of Net Funded Status [Table Text Block]	'
		December 31,
		2013				2012
	Funded status of the plans
	Fair value of plan assets	$	25,754			$	22,957
	Projected benefit obligation	31,888				36,045
	Funded status of the plans	$	(6,134	)		$	(13,088	)
Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet [Table Text Block]	'
		December 31,
		2013				2012
	Amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets
	Current liability	$	(37	)		$	(27	)
	Noncurrent liability	(6,097		)		(13,061		)
	Funded status of the plans	$	(6,134	)		$	(13,088	)
Schedule of Amounts in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block]	'
	Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), related to our defined benefit pension plans follow:
		At December 31, 2013								At December 31, 2012
		Pretax				Net of Tax				Pretax			Net of Tax
	Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income
	Unrecognized net actuarial loss	$	9,942			$	5,995			$	17,636		$	10,577
	Unrecognized prior service cost	69				45				82			49
		$	10,011			$	6,040			$	17,718		$	10,626
Schedule of Amounts in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) to be Recognized over Next Fiscal Year [Table Text Block]	'
	The total amortization associated with these amounts that is expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit expense for 2014 follows:
		Year ending December 31, 2014
		Pretax				Net of Tax
	Amortization of Costs Expected to be Recognized Next Year
	Unrecognized net actuarial loss	$	708			$	425
	Unrecognized prior service cost	14				8
		$	722			$	433
Schedule of Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Fair Value of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]	'
	The aggregate projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for plans in which the fair value of plan assets is less than either the projected benefit obligation or accumulated benefit obligation follow:
		December 31,
		2013				2012
	For pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets
	Projected benefit obligation	$	31,888			$	36,045
	Accumulated benefit obligation	31,599				35,790
	Fair value of plan assets	25,754				22,957
Schedule of Assumptions Used [Table Text Block]	'
	The actuarial assumptions follow. The discount rates were used to measure the year-end benefit obligation and compute pension expense for the subsequent year.
		December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Actuarial assumptions
	Discount rate	5.2	%		4.25	%		5.25	%
	Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets	7.75			7.75			7.75
Components of pension expense (income) [Table Text Block]	'
	Net periodic benefit expense (income) associated with the defined benefit pension plans included the following components:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013				2012				2011
	Components of pension expense (income)
	Service costs--increase in benefit obligation earned	$	222			$	185			$	134
	Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	1,515				1,657				1,671
	Expected return on plan assets	(1,760		)		(1,701		)		(1,908		)
	Settlement loss	—				219				—
	Amortization of net actuarial loss	1,388				1,041				535
	Amortization of prior service cost	14				14				14
	Amortization of transition asset	—				—				(68		)
	Net pension expense of defined benefit pension plans	$	1,379			$	1,415			$	378
Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]	'
	The fair values of our pension plan assets at December 31, 2013 by asset category, using the three-level hierarchy of fair value inputs, were as follows:
							Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2013 Using:
	Description		Total Carrying				Quoted prices				Significant			Significant
			Value at				in				other observable			unobservable
			31-Dec-13				active markets				inputs			inputs
							(Level 1)				(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	Asset Category
	Money market funds		$	1,726			$	—			$	1,726		$	—
	U.S. large-cap equities
	Growth		3,639				3,639				—			—
	Value		2,971				2,971				—			—
	U.S. small/mid-cap equities
	Growth		1,813				1,813				—			—
	Value		1,959				1,959				—			—
	International equities
	Growth		2,718				2,718				—			—
	Value		2,622				2,622				—			—
	Fixed income		4,423				4,423				—			—
	Multiclass world-allocation mutual funds		3,883				3,883				—			—
			$	25,754			$	24,028			$	1,726		$	—
	The fair values of our pension plan assets at December 31, 2012 by asset category, using the three-level hierarchy of fair value inputs, were as follows:
							Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2012 Using:
	Description		Total Carrying				Quoted prices				Significant			Significant
			Value at				in				other observable			unobservable
			31-Dec-12				active markets				inputs			inputs
							(Level 1)				(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	Asset Category
	Money market funds		$	2,494			$	—			$	2,494		$	—
	U.S. large-cap equities
	Growth		2,482				2,482				—			—
	Value		1,767				1,767				—			—
	U.S. small/mid-cap equities
	Growth		1,516				1,516				—			—
	Value		2,149				2,149				—			—
	International equities
	Growth		2,183				2,183				—			—
	Value		2,083				2,083				—			—
	Fixed income		4,654				4,654				—			—
	Multiclass world-allocation mutual funds		3,629				3,629				—			—
			$	22,957			$	20,463			$	2,494		$	—
Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments [Table Text Block]	'
	The benefits, as of December 31, 2013, expected to be paid to defined-benefit plan participants in each of the next five years, and in the aggregate for the five years thereafter, follow:
			Participants Benefits
	Estimated future payments
	Year ending December 31, 2014		$	1,374
	2015		1,448
	2016		1,545
	2017		1,668
	2018		1,728
	Years 2019 to 2023		9,664
Schedule of Multiemployer Plans [Table Text Block]	'
	Pension Fund		EIN/Pension		Pension				FIB/RP		Davey Tree							Surcharge	Expiration
			Plan Number		Protection Act				Status		Contributions							Imposed	Dates of
					Zone Status				Pending										Bargaining
					2013		2012		Implemented		2013			2012		2011			Agreement
	National Electric Benefit Fund		53-0181657/001		Green		Green		No		$	755		$	417	$	442	No	Ranging from June 30, 2014 to
																			31-Dec-17
	Eighth District Electrical Pension Fund		84-6100393/001		Green		Green		No		100			75		60		No	31-Dec-14
											$	855		$	492	$	502

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Income before Income Tax, Domestic and Foreign [Table Text Block]	'
	Income before income taxes was attributable to the following sources:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013				2012				2011
	United States	$	29,203			$	35,414			$	18,261
	Canada	6,362				5,244				5,039
	Total	$	35,565			$	40,658			$	23,300
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]	'
	The provision for income taxes follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013				2012				2011
	Currently payable:
	Federal	$	7,089			$	15,853			$	3,065
	State	2,183				2,239				2,277
	Canadian	1,724				1,578				1,565
	Total current	10,996				19,670				6,907
	Deferred taxes	1,716				(3,607		)		2,328
	Total taxes on income	$	12,712			$	16,063			$	9,235
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	'
	A reconciliation of the expected statutory U.S. federal rate to our actual effective income tax rate follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Statutory U.S. federal tax rate	35	%		35	%		35	%
	State income taxes, net of federal benefit	3.6			3.9			5.1
	Effect of Canadian income taxes	(1.6	)		(1.0	)		(1.2	)
	Nondeductible expenses	1.9			1.4			2.5
	ESOP dividend deduction	(.8	)		(.7	)		(1.2	)
	Audit settlements and uncertain tax adjustments	(2.2	)		1.8			1.8
	Valuation allowance on foreign tax credits	—			—			(1.1	)
	All other, net	(.2	)		(.9	)		(1.3	)
	Effective income tax rate	35.7	%		39.5	%		39.6	%
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and LIabilities, Current [Table Text Block]	'
	Significant components of our current net deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, were as follows:
		December 31,
		2013				2012
	Deferred tax assets:
	Accrued compensation obligations	$	1,883			$	2,424
	Self-insurance accruals	7,693				7,083
	Prepaid expenses	(2,565		)		(1,903		)
	Other, net	908				1,405
		7,919				9,009
	Less deferred tax asset valuation allowance	204				194
	Net deferred income tax assets--current	$	7,715			$	8,815
Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities, Noncurrent [Table Text Block]	'
	Significant components of our noncurrent net deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, were as follows:
		December 31,
		2013				2012
	Deferred tax assets:
	Self-insurance accruals	$	12,129			$	14,497
	Intangibles	(234		)		(341		)
	Accrued expenses and other liabilities	895				895
	Accrued stock compensation	1,550				1,476
	Defined benefit pension plans	1,873				4,698
	Foreign tax credit carryforward	768				768
	Other future deductible amounts, net	1,737				1,470
		18,718				23,463
	Less deferred tax asset valuation allowance	564				574
		18,154				22,889
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Property and equipment	20,718				21,830
		20,718				21,830
	Net deferred tax assets--noncurrent					$	1,059
	Net deferred tax liabilities--noncurrent	$	2,564
Summary of Income Tax Contingencies [Table Text Block]	'
	The balance of unrecognized benefits and the amount of related interest and penalties at December 31, were as follows:
		December 31,
		2013				2012
	Unrecognized tax benefits	$	1,221			$	2,638
	Portion, if recognized, would reduce tax expense and effective tax rate	942				1,933
	Accrued interest on unrecognized tax benefits	41				142
	Accrued penalties on unrecognized benefits	—				—
Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward [Table Text Block]	'
	The changes in our unrecognized tax benefits are summarized in the table below:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013				2012				2011
	Balance, beginning of year	$	2,638			$	1,825			$	1,524
	Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	370				667				279
	Additions for tax positions of prior years	133				149				101
	Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(1,155		)		(3		)		(61		)
	Reductions related to settlements with taxing authorities	(460		)		—				—
	Lapses in statutes of limitations	(305		)		—				(18		)
	Balance, end of year	$	1,221			$	2,638			$	1,825

Earnings_Per_Share_Information1

Earnings Per Share Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Calculation of Numerator and Denominator in Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block]	'
	Earnings per share is computed as follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
	Income available to common shareholders:
	Net income	$	22,853	$	24,595	$	14,065
	Weighted-average shares:
	Basic:
	Outstanding	13,639,356		13,867,771		14,006,093
	Partially-paid share subscriptions	531,325		234,595		—
	Basic weighted-average shares	14,170,681		14,102,366		14,006,093
	Diluted:
	Basic from above	14,170,681		14,102,366		14,006,093
	Incremental shares from assumed:
	Exercise of stock subscription purchase rights	34,273		5,750		—
	Exercise of stock options and awards	397,478		500,741		530,779
	Diluted weighted-average shares	14,602,432		14,608,857		14,536,872
	Share data:
	Earnings per share--basic	$	1.61	$	1.74	$	1
	Earnings per share--diluted	$	1.57	$	1.68	$	0.97

Operations_by_Business_Segment1

Operations by Business Segment and Geographic Information Operations by business segment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	'
	Information on reportable segments and reconciliation to the consolidated financial statements follows:
		Utility		Residential		All			Reconciling				Consolidated
		Services		Commercial		Other			Adjustments
				Services
	Fiscal Year 2013
	Revenues	$	376,520	$	334,878	$	2,450		$	—			$	713,848
	Income (loss) from operations	16,070		33,566		(2,869		)	(5,978		)	(a)	40,789
	Interest expense								(2,708		)		(2,708		)
	Interest income								311				311
	Other income (expense), net								(2,827		)		(2,827		)
	Income before income taxes												$	35,565
	Depreciation	$	22,261	$	13,286	$	—		$	2,684		(b)	$	38,231
	Amortization	359		1,440		—			181				1,980
	Capital expenditures	21,642		17,577		—			5,986				45,205
	Segment assets, total	145,021		122,542		—			65,815			(c)	333,378
	Fiscal Year 2012
	Revenues	$	375,300	$	303,420	$	1,433		$	—			$	680,153
	Income (loss) from operations	20,107		30,787		(1,366		)	(3,761		)	(a)	45,767
	Interest expense								(2,698		)		(2,698		)
	Interest income								200				200
	Other income (expense), net								(2,611		)		(2,611		)
	Income before income taxes												$	40,658
	Depreciation	$	22,844	$	12,236	$	—		$	2,285		(b)	$	37,365
	Amortization	465		1,058		—			219				1,742
	Capital expenditures	15,737		10,266		—			3,731				29,734
	Segment assets, total	150,294		122,298		—			58,340			(c)	330,932
	Fiscal Year 2011
	Revenues	$	363,365	$	280,938	$	1,731		$	—			$	646,034
	Income (loss) from operations	13,541		24,243		1,342			(6,325		)	(a)	32,801
	Interest expense								(3,794		)		(3,794		)
	Interest income								43				43
	Litigation settlement								(2,900		)		(2,900		)
	Other income (expense), net								(2,850		)		(2,850		)
	Income before income taxes												$	23,300
	Depreciation	$	23,734	$	12,157	$	—		$	1,927		(b)	$	37,818
	Amortization	466		1,039		—			403				1,908
	Capital expenditures	17,241		13,362		—			4,098				34,701
	Segment assets, total	137,689		105,552		—			60,493			(c)	303,734
Schedule of Revenue from External Customers Attributed to Foreign Countries by Geographic Area [Table Text Block]	'
	Geographic Information--The following presents revenues and long-lived assets by geographic territory:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
	Revenues
	United States	$	637,524	$	607,339	$	577,613
	Canada	76,324		72,814		68,421
		$	713,848	$	680,153	$	646,034
		December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
	Long-lived assets, net
	United States	$	166,598	$	153,946	$	141,108
	Canada	14,764		15,237		16,121
		$	181,362	$	169,183	$	157,229

Fair_Value_Measurements_and_Fi1

Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]	'
	Our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, were as follows:
						Fair Value Measurements at
						December 31, 2013 Using:
			Total			Quoted prices in active markets			Significant			Significant
			Carrying						other observable			unobservable
			Value at						inputs			inputs
	Description		December 31, 2013			(Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	Assets:
	Assets invested for self-insurance, classified as other assets, noncurrent		$	12,716		$	12,716		$	—		$	—
	Defined benefit pension plan assets		25,754			24,028			1,726			—
	Liabilities:
	Deferred compensation		$	1,144		$	—		$	1,144		$	—
						Fair Value Measurements at
						December 31, 2012 Using:
			Total			Quoted prices in active markets			Significant			Significant
			Carrying						other observable			unobservable
			Value at						inputs			inputs
	Description		December 31, 2012			(Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	Assets:
	Assets invested for self-insurance, classified as other assets, noncurrent		$	10,758		$	10,758		$	—		$	—
	Fuel derivatives, classified as other current assets		38			—			38			—
	Defined benefit pension plan assets		22,957			20,463			2,494			—
	Liabilities:
	Fuel derivatives, classified as accrued expenses		$	24		$	—		$	24		$	—
	Deferred compensation		873			—			873			—
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table Text Block]	'
	Financial instruments classified as noncurrent liabilities and their carrying values and fair values were as follows:
		December 31, 2013						December 31, 2012
		Carrying			Fair			Carrying			Fair
		Value			Value			Value			Value
	Revolving credit facility, noncurrent	$	20,000		$	20,000		$	24,200		$	24,200
	Senior unsecured notes	30,000			28,219			30,000			29,762
	Term loans, noncurrent	34			34			587			587
	Total	$	50,034		$	48,253		$	54,787		$	54,549
Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value [Table Text Block]	'
	The following tables sets forth quantitative information related to our derivatives instruments and where these amounts are recorded in our consolidated financial statements.
			As of December 31,
			2013			2012
	Economic Hedges - Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
	Fuel Derivatives:
	Asset fair value of fuel derivatives, classified as other current assets		$	—		$	38
	Liability fair value of fuel derivatives, classified as accrued expenses		$	—		$	24
	Liability fair value of fuel derivatives, classified as other noncurrent liabilities		$	—		$	—
	Longest remaining term, in months		—			12
	Notional hedged volume, in thousands of gallons		—			1,250
			Year Ended December 31,
			2013			2012
	Cash Flow Hedges - Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
	Interest Rate Swaps:
	Hedge gains, recognized in other comprehensive income		$	—		$	123
	Economic Hedges - Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
	Fuel Derivatives:
	Change in fair value, recognized in results of operations, as a reduction in costs and expenses, operating		$	139		$	650

Quarterly_Results_of_Operation1

Quarterly Results of Operations Quarterly Results of Operations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]	'
	The following is a summary of the results of operations for each quarter of 2013 and 2012.
		Fiscal 2013, Three Months Ended
		30-Mar			29-Jun		28-Sep		31-Dec
	Revenues	$	143,265		$	195,638	$	194,772	$	180,173
	Gross profit (revenues less costs and expenses, operating)	42,205			76,046		69,114		63,837
	Income (loss) from operations	(6,009		)	23,230		14,881		8,687
	Net income (loss)	(4,612		)	13,436		8,644		5,385
	Net income (loss) per share--Basic	$	(.33	)	$	0.97	$	0.63	$	0.34
	Net income (loss) per share -- Diluted:	$	(.33	)	$	0.94	$	0.61	$	0.35
	ESOT Valuation per share	$	23.2		$	23.2	$	23.9	$	26.4
		Fiscal 2012, Three Months Ended
		31-Mar			30-Jun		29-Sep		31-Dec
	Revenues	$	146,644		$	182,411	$	178,647	$	172,451
	Gross profit (revenues less costs and expenses, operating)	46,760			65,939		64,544		65,578
	Income (loss) from operations	508			17,270		14,652		13,337
	Net income (loss)	(571		)	9,416		8,296		7,454
	Net income (loss) per share -- Basic	$	(.04	)	$	0.68	$	0.59	$	0.51
	Net income (loss) per share -- Diluted	$	(.04	)	$	0.66	$	0.56	$	0.5
	ESOT Valuation per share	$	19.7		$	19.7	$	20.8	$	23.2
	Fourth quarters 2013 and 2012 include a decrease in casualty insurance expense that had the effect of increasing the fourth quarter gross profit for 2013 and 2012 by approximately $5,402 and $5,136, respectively.

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	$0	$0	$0
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Intangible Assets, Amortization Method	'1	'	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Intangible Assets, Amortization Method	'10	'	'
Land improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives	'5	'	'
Land improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives	'20	'	'
Buildings [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives	'5	'	'
Buildings [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives	'20	'	'
Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives	'3	'	'
Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives	'10	'	'
Leasehold improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives	'5	'	'
Leasehold improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives	'20	'	'

Summary_of_Significant_Account4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Concentration of Risk (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	Rate	Rate	Rate
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]	'	'	'
Concentration Risk, Percentage	9.00%	10.00%	10.00%

Business_Combinations_Details

Business Combinations (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
				Purchase price [Member]	Issuance of Debt [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Investments in businesses	$110,000	$6,368,000	$1,527,000	'	'
Investments in businesses, liabilities assumed	0	1,868,000	65,000	'	'
Investments in businesses, debt issued	30,000	100,000	500,000	'	'
Excess of purchase price over the estimated fair value	0	1,820,000	426,000	'	'
Excess of purchase price over the estimated fair value, tax deductible amount	'	258,000	426,000	'	'
Subsequent Event, Amount	'	'	'	$2,650,000	$425,000

Accounts_Receivable_Net_and_Su2

Accounts Receivable, Net and Supplemental Balance Sheet Information Accounts Receivable, Net and Supplemental Balance Sheet Information(Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accounts receivable, net	'	'
Accounts receivable	$93,156	$105,044
Receivables under contractual arrangements	14,309	12,961
Accounts receivable, gross, current	107,465	118,005
Less allowances for doubtful accounts	2,209	2,442
Accounts receivable, net	105,256	115,563
Other current assets	'	'
Refundable income taxes	5,317	0
Deferred income taxes	7,715	8,815
Other	813	2,593
Other current assets, total	13,845	11,408
Other assets, noncurrent	'	'
Assets invested for self-insurance	12,716	10,758
Investment--cost-method affiliate	1,168	1,168
Deferred income taxes	0	1,059
Other	3,033	1,299
Other assets, noncurrent, total	16,917	14,284
Accrued expenses	'	'
Employee compensation	18,578	17,888
Accrued compensated absences	6,953	7,080
Self-insured medical claims	2,503	2,571
Customer advances, deposits	2,191	1,346
Income taxes payable	0	2,013
Taxes, other than income	5,730	2,463
Other	903	1,101
Accrued expenses, total	36,858	34,462
Other liabilities, noncurrent	'	'
Pension and retirement plans	7,760	14,513
Deferred income taxes	2,564	0
Other	1,956	3,367
Other liabilities, noncurrent, total	$12,280	$17,880

LItigation_Settlement_and_Supp2

LItigation Settlement and Supplemental Operating Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Litigation settlement	$2,900	$0	$0	$2,900
Other nonoperating income (expense), net	'	-2,827	-2,611	-2,850
Foreign currency gain (loss)	'	-146	11	-269
Other-than-temporary impairment loss	'	'	'	$366

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa2

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Supplemental cash flow information	'	'	'
Interest paid	$2,732	$2,683	$3,882
Income taxes paid, net	20,133	11,131	2,137
Noncash transactions	'	'	'
Debt issued for purchases of businesses	30	100	500
Detail of acquisitions:	'	'	'
Receivables	0	474	16
Operating supplies	0	209	0
Prepaid expense	0	47	0
Equipment	0	1,826	321
Intangibles	110	3,812	1,190
Liabilities assumed	0	-1,868	-65
Debt issued for purchases of businesses	-30	-100	-500
Cash paid	$80	$4,400	$962

Identified_Intangible_Assets_a2

Identified Intangible Assets and Goodwill, Net (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized intangible assets, carrying amount	$24,176	$24,336
Accumulated amortization	20,217	18,668
Identified intangibles, net	3,959	5,668
Goodwill	23,602	23,515
Intangible assets and goodwill net	27,561	29,183
Customer lists/relationships	'	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Weighted-average amortization period (years)	'4 years 4 months 3 days	'
Amortized intangible assets, carrying amount	14,168	14,378
Accumulated amortization	11,137	10,319
Employment-related	'	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Weighted-average amortization period (years)	'5 years 10 months 8 days	'
Amortized intangible assets, carrying amount	5,603	5,430
Accumulated amortization	5,446	5,082
Tradenames	'	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Weighted-average amortization period (years)	'4 years 3 months 4 days	'
Amortized intangible assets, carrying amount	4,405	4,528
Accumulated amortization	$3,634	$3,267

Identified_Intangible_Assets_a3

Identified Intangible Assets and Goodwill, Net Schedule of Goodwill (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Goodwill, balance at January 1, 2013	$23,515
Goodwill, acquisitions	0
Goodwill, translation and other adjustments	87
Goodwill, balance at December 31, 2013	23,602
Utility Services [Member]	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Goodwill, balance at January 1, 2013	3,064
Goodwill, acquisitions	0
Goodwill, translation and other adjustments	0
Goodwill, balance at December 31, 2013	3,064
Residential and Commercial Services [Member]	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Goodwill, balance at January 1, 2013	20,451
Goodwill, acquisitions	0
Goodwill, translation and other adjustments	87
Goodwill, balance at December 31, 2013	$20,538

Identified_Intangible_Assets_a4

Identified Intangible Assets and Goodwill, Net (Future Amortization of Intangibles) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]	'
Year ending December 31, 2014	$1,330
2015	1,128
2016	915
2017	580
2018	$6

ShortTerm_and_LongTerm_Debt_Sh

Short-Term and Long-Term Debt Short-Term Debt (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Short-term Debt [Abstract]	'	'
Current portion of long-term debt	$8,434	$6,992
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	$11,217	'
Minimum [Member] | LIBOR [Member] | Line of Credit [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.75%	'
Maximum [Member] | LIBOR [Member] | Line of Credit [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.50%	'

ShortTerm_and_LongTerm_Debt_Lo

Short-Term and Long-Term Debt Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jul. 22, 2010
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revolving credit facility, amount outstanding	$20,000	$24,200	'
Senior unsecured notes	30,000	30,000	30,000
Term loans	8,468	7,579	'
Long-term debt	58,468	61,779	'
Less current portion	8,434	6,992	'
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities	50,034	54,787	'
Swing-line borrowings [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revolving credit facility, amount outstanding	0	0	'
Prime rate borrowings [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revolving credit facility, amount outstanding	0	9,200	'
LIBOR borrowings [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revolving credit facility, amount outstanding	$20,000	$15,000	'

ShortTerm_and_LongTerm_Debt_Na

Short-Term and Long-Term Debt Narrative (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jul. 22, 2010	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified				Minimum [Member]	Maximum [Member]	Line of Credit [Member]	Line of Credit [Member]	Line of Credit [Member]	Line of Credit [Member]	Line of Credit [Member]	Letter of Credit [Member]
							Base Rate, Libor [Member]	Base Rate, Federal Funds [Member]	LIBOR [Member]	LIBOR [Member]
									Minimum [Member]	Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Senior unsecured notes, interest rate	5.09%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revolving credit facility, current borrowing capacity	$175,000	$140,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Letter of credit sublimit	100,000	100,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Swing line commitment	15,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revolving credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	210,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Senior unsecured notes	30,000	30,000	30,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of principal payments	5	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Anniversary when principal payments begin	6	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unused commitments under credit facility	101,096	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Committed under credit facility	11,217	'	'	'	'	73,904	'	'	'	'	'
Revolving credit facility borrowings	20,000	24,200	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Letters of credit outstanding, amount	54,909	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	53,904
Outstanding borrowings interest rate margin adjustment range	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0.75%	1.50%	'
Debt instrument, variable rate, base rate calculation	'	'	'	'	'	'	1.50%	0.50%	'	'	'
Line of credit facility, commitment fee percentage	'	'	'	0.10%	0.25%	'	'	'	'	'	'
Term loans, weighted average interest rate	2.04%	1.99%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
2014	8,434	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
2015	34	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
2016	6,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
2017	6,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
2018	$26,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

SelfInsurance_Accruals_Details

Self-Insurance Accruals (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	Rate	Rate
Self-Insurance Accruals [Abstract]	'	'
Workers' compensation	$35,199	$40,450
Present value discount	1,796	2,003
Workers' compensation, net of discount	33,403	38,447
Vehicle liability	4,885	5,117
General liability	18,424	18,169
Total	56,712	61,733
Less current portion	22,057	20,115
Noncurrent portion	34,655	41,618
Loss Contingency Accrual [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance, beginning of year	61,733	57,265
Provision for claims	27,084	29,590
Payment of claims	32,105	25,122
Balance, end of year	$56,712	$61,733
Workers' compensation discount rate	2.00%	1.90%

Operating_Lease_Obligations_De

Operating Lease Obligations (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Leases, Operating [Abstract]	'	'	'
Operating leases, maximum lease terms	'P5Y	'	'
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]	'	'	'
Year ending December 31, 2014	$4,477	'	'
2015	3,119	'	'
2016	2,348	'	'
2017	1,455	'	'
2018	1,016	'	'
2019 and after	1,189	'	'
Total minimum lease payments	13,604	'	'
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	$6,167	$5,860	$6,233

Common_Shares_and_Preferred_Sh2

Common Shares and Preferred Shares Common shares outstanding (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Preferred shares	'	'	'
Preferred stock, shares authorized	4,000,000	'	'
Preferred stock, par value	$0	'	'
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	'	'
Common Stock, Number of Shares, Par Value and Other Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'
Common stock, shares authorized	24,000,000	24,000,000	'
Common stock, par value	$1	$1	'
Common stock, shares issued	21,456,880	21,456,880	21,456,880
Treasury stock, shares	8,018,269	7,730,878	7,611,245
Common shares, direct sales	16,095	'	'
Common shares, value, direct sales	$374	'	'
Stock issued during period, shares, employee retirement plan	51,099	'	'
Stock issued during period, value, employee retirement plan	1,187	'	'
Common shares, employer matching contribution, shares	113,692	'	'
Employee Retirement Plan, Employer Match	2,788	2,643	2,473
Stock issued during period, shares, employee stock purchase plan	118,444	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Shares outstanding, beginning of year	13,726,002	13,845,635	'
Shares purchased	-931,078	-891,704	'
Shares sold	299,330	327,442	'
Stock subscription offering, employee cash purchases	25,837	76,525	'
Options exercised	318,520	368,104	'
Increase/(decrease) in shares outstanding	-287,391	-119,633	'
Shares outstanding, end of year	13,438,611	13,726,002	13,845,635
Per Share Amounts and Common Shares Outstanding [Abstract]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number	342,146	'	'
Stock subscription offering, number of partially-paid subscriptions	531,325	'	'
Stock subscription offering, number of rights outstanding	204,972	'	'
Treasury Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Common Stock, Number of Shares, Par Value and Other Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'
Shares purchased, value	$21,887	$18,103	$14,222
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Shares purchased	-931,000	-892,000	-779,000
Shares sold	299,000	327,000	351,000

Common_Shares_and_Preferred_Sh3

Common Shares and Preferred Shares Stock Subscription (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Stock subscription offering [Abstract]	'
Stock subscription offering, subscription price	$19.70
Stock subscription offering, number of shares subscribed	637,714
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	'7 years
Stock subscription offering interest rate	2.00%
Stock subscription offering, minimum amount to receive right	$5,000
stock subscription offering, number of shares purchased to receive one right	3
Stock subscription offering, number of rights issued	211,800
Stock subscription offering, portion exercisable per year	14.29%
Stock subscription offering, right expiration term	'P7Y

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Increase (decrease) in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the year	($7,115)	($6,344)	($3,072)
Unrealized gains (losses)	-1,864	561	-509
Unrealized gains in fair value	0	123	917
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	1,401	1,268	481
Tax effect	-532	-507	-184
Unrecognized amounts from defined benefit pension plans	6,306	-3,712	-6,592
Tax effect	-2,589	1,496	2,615
Net of tax amount	2,722	-771	-3,272
Balance at the end of the year	-4,393	-7,115	-6,344
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments	'	'	'
Increase (decrease) in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the year	3,511	2,950	3,459
Unrealized gains (losses)	-1,864	561	-509
Unrealized gains in fair value	0	0	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	0
Tax effect	0	0	0
Unrecognized amounts from defined benefit pension plans	0	0	0
Tax effect	0	0	0
Net of tax amount	-1,864	561	-509
Balance at the end of the year	1,647	3,511	2,950
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedges	'	'	'
Increase (decrease) in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the year	0	-77	-645
Unrealized gains (losses)	0	0	0
Unrealized gains in fair value	0	123	917
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	0
Tax effect	0	0	0
Unrecognized amounts from defined benefit pension plans	0	0	0
Tax effect	0	-46	-349
Net of tax amount	0	77	568
Balance at the end of the year	0	0	-77
Defined Benefit Pension Plans	'	'	'
Increase (decrease) in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the year	-10,626	-9,217	-5,886
Unrealized gains (losses)	0	0	0
Unrealized gains in fair value	0	0	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	1,401	1,268	481
Tax effect	-532	-507	-184
Unrecognized amounts from defined benefit pension plans	6,306	-3,712	-6,592
Tax effect	-2,589	1,542	2,964
Net of tax amount	4,586	-1,409	-3,331
Balance at the end of the year	($6,040)	($10,626)	($9,217)

The_Davey_401KSOP_and_Employee1

The Davey 401KSOP and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
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 splits	11,520,000	'	'
Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), initial value in ESOP	$2,700	'	'
Defined contribution plan, eligible age	21	'	'
Defined contribution plan, service requirement for eligibility	'1 year	'	'
Employee retirement plan, employer match	$2,788	$2,643	$2,473
First 1% [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Disclosures [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined contribution plan, employer matching contribution, percent	100.00%	'	'
1% to 4% [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Disclosures [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined contribution plan, employer matching contribution, percent	50.00%	'	'
Minimum [Member] | 1% to 4% [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Disclosures [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined contribution plan, employer matching contribution threshold, percent	1.00%	'	'
Maximum [Member] | First 1% [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Disclosures [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined contribution plan, employer matching contribution threshold, percent	100.00%	'	'
Maximum [Member] | 1% to 4% [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Disclosures [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined contribution plan, employer matching contribution threshold, percent	4.00%	'	'

StockBased_Compensation_Detail

Stock-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	Rate	Rate	Rate
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based compensation, number of shares authorized	10,000,000	'	'
Share-based compensation, number of shares available for grant	329,887	'	'
Deferred compensation arrangement with individual, nonemployee directors, vesting period	'five	'	'
Deferred compensation arrangement with individual, nonemployee director, service period, former plan	'six	'	'
Salaries, Wages and Officers' Compensation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Compensation expense, all share-based payment plans	$1,411	$1,508	$1,349
Income tax benefit	348	383	329
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Abstract]	'	'	'
Shares purchased during the year	118,444	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions and Methodology [Abstract]	'	'	'
Volatility rate	11.30%	11.70%	11.90%
Risk-free interest rate	2.10%	1.60%	2.90%
Expected dividend yield	1.50%	1.50%	1.50%
Expected life of awards (years)	'9 years 4 months 24 days	'9 years 1 month 6 days	'8 years 10 months 24 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Outstanding, beginning balance	761,254	'	'
Granted, Stock Options	198,500	'	'
Exercised	-297,508	'	'
Forfeited	0	'	'
Outstanding, ending balance	662,246	761,254	'
Exercisable, ending balance	342,146	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'
Granted, weighted average exercise price	$23.20	'	'
Exercised, weighted average exercise price	$7.47	'	'
Forfeited, weighted average exercise price	$0	'	'
Outstanding, weighted average exercise price, ending balance	'	$11.38	'
Exercisable, weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	'3 years 8 months 9 days	'	'
Outstanding, unrecognized compensation cost	867	'	'
Outstanding, aggregate intrinsic value	4,784	'	'
Exercisable, aggregate intrinisic value	3,724	'	'
Number outstanding	662,246	'	'
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	'5 years 11 months 1 day	'	'
Outstanding options, weighted average exercise price	$16.68	'	'
Number exercisable	342,146	'	'
Exercisable options, weighted average exercise price	$13.02	'	'
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Abstract]	'	'	'
Employee stock purchase, discount from market price, purchase date	15.00%	'	'
Number of employees participating	1,500	1,157	1,272
Shares purchased during the year	118,444	136,947	150,253
Weighted-average per share purchase price paid	$20.01	$17.20	$15.46
Cumulative shares purchased since 1982	8,636,226	8,517,782	8,380,835
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Salaries, Wages and Officers' Compensation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Compensation expense, all share-based payment plans	417	415	410
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Abstract]	'	'	'
Employee stock purchase plan, service period	'1 year	'	'
Employee stock purchase plan, percentage of market price, purchase date	85.00%	'	'
Employee stock purchase, discount from market price, purchase date	15.00%	'	'
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based compensation, vesting period	'10 years	'	'
Salaries, Wages and Officers' Compensation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Compensation expense, all share-based payment plans	234	166	269
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Abstract]	'	'	'
Stock options, awarded, outstanding	662,246	'	'
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Deferred compensation agreement with individual, annual grant per nonemployee director	3,000	'	'
Share-based compensation, vesting period	'5 years	'	'
Salaries, Wages and Officers' Compensation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Compensation expense, all share-based payment plans	315	283	185
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Unvested, beginning balance	257,817	'	'
Granted	117,280	'	'
Forfeited	0	'	'
Vested	-91,644	'	'
Unvested, ending balance	283,453	257,817	'
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	$3.17	'	'
Granted, weighted average award date value	$3.17	'	'
Forfeited, weighted average award date value	$0	'	'
Vested, weighted average award date value	$3.23	'	'
Unvested, weighted average award date value, ending balance	$3.15	$3.17	'
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	'2 years 2 months 12 days	'	'
Unrecognized compensation cost	630	'	'
Aggregate intrinsic value	6,775	'	'
Employee SSARs [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Unvested, ending balance	253,720	'	'
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	$3.24	'	'
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	'2 years 1 month 6 days	'	'
Unrecognized compensation cost	575	'	'
Aggregate intrinsic value	6,064	'	'
Nonemployee Director SSARs [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Unvested, ending balance	29,733	'	'
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	$2.32	'	'
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	'2 years 6 months	'	'
Unrecognized compensation cost	55	'	'
Aggregate intrinsic value	711	'	'
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'	'	'
Salaries, Wages and Officers' Compensation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Compensation expense, all share-based payment plans	445	644	485
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Unvested, beginning balance	78,653	'	'
Granted	42,290	'	'
Forfeited	0	'	'
Vested	-25,385	'	'
Unvested, ending balance	95,558	78,653	'
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	$16.87	'	'
Granted, weighted average award date value	$21.67	'	'
Forfeited, weighted average award date value	$0	'	'
Vested, weighted average award date value	$16.73	'	'
Unvested, weighted average award date value, ending balance	$19.03	$16.87	'
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	'2 years 9 months 18 days	'	'
Unrecognized compensation cost	1,098	'	'
Aggregate intrinsic value	2,284	'	'
Employee PRSUs [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Unvested, ending balance	86,252	'	'
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	$18.69	'	'
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	'2 years 10 months 24 days	'	'
Unrecognized compensation cost	932	'	'
Aggregate intrinsic value	2,062	'	'
Nonemployee Director PRSUs [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Unvested, ending balance	9,306	'	'
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	$22.18	'	'
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	'2 years 3 months 18 days	'	'
Unrecognized compensation cost	166	'	'
Aggregate intrinsic value	$222	'	'
Employee Stock Option [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based compensation, number of shares available for grant	3,200,000	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number outstanding	656,912	'	'
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	'5 years 11 months 16 days	'	'
Outstanding options, weighted average exercise price	$16.68	'	'
Number exercisable	336,812	'	'
Exercisable options, weighted average exercise price	$12.96	'	'
Employee Stock Option [Member] | $11.25 [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'
Lower range limit	$11.25	'	'
Upper range limit	$11.25	'	'
Number outstanding	220,791	'	'
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	'2 years 5 months 5 days	'	'
Outstanding options, weighted average exercise price	$11.25	'	'
Number exercisable	220,791	'	'
Exercisable options, weighted average exercise price	$11.25	'	'
Employee Stock Option [Member] | $16.00 [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'
Lower range limit	$16	'	'
Upper range limit	$16	'	'
Number outstanding	128,221	'	'
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	'5 years 10 months 2 days	'	'
Outstanding options, weighted average exercise price	$16	'	'
Number exercisable	72,621	'	'
Exercisable options, weighted average exercise price	$16	'	'
Employee Stock Option [Member] | $16.60 [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'
Lower range limit	$16.60	'	'
Upper range limit	$16.60	'	'
Number outstanding	109,400	'	'
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	'6 years 10 months 2 days	'	'
Outstanding options, weighted average exercise price	$16.60	'	'
Number exercisable	43,400	'	'
Exercisable options, weighted average exercise price	$16.60	'	'
Employee Stock Option [Member] | $23.20 [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'
Lower range limit	$23.20	'	'
Upper range limit	$23.20	'	'
Number outstanding	198,500	'	'
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	'9 years 5 months 23 days	'	'
Outstanding options, weighted average exercise price	$23.20	'	'
Number exercisable	0	'	'
Exercisable options, weighted average exercise price	$23.20	'	'
Director Stock Option [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Deferred compensation aggrangement with individual, nonemployee director, former plan, term	'six	'	'
Deferred compensation arrangement with individual, nonemployee director, annual grant per director, former plan	4,000	'	'
Director Stock Option [Member] | $ 16.40 [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'
Lower range limit	$16.40	'	'
Upper range limit	$16.40	'	'
Number outstanding	5,334	'	'
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	'8 months 16 days	'	'
Outstanding options, weighted average exercise price	$16.40	'	'
Number exercisable	5,334	'	'
Exercisable options, weighted average exercise price	$16.40	'	'

Defined_Benefit_Pension_Plans_1

Defined Benefit Pension Plans Change in benefit obligation (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	$36,045	$32,148	'
Service cost	222	185	134
Interest cost	1,515	1,657	1,671
Actuarial (gains)/losses	-4,272	4,604	'
Settlements	0	-356	'
Benefits paid	-1,622	-2,193	'
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	31,888	36,045	32,148
Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year	$31,599	$35,790	'

Defined_Benefit_Pension_Plans_2

Defined Benefit Pension Plans Change in fair value of plan assets (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$22,957	$22,078
Actual return on plan assets	3,793	2,588
Employer contributions	626	840
Settlements	0	-356
Benefits paid	-1,622	-2,193
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$25,754	$22,957

Defined_Benefit_Pension_Plans_3

Defined Benefit Pension Plans Funded status of the plans (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	$25,754	$22,957	$22,078
Projected benefit obligation	31,888	36,045	32,148
Funded status of the plans	($6,134)	($13,088)	'

Defined_Benefit_Pension_Plans_4

Defined Benefit Pension Plans Amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Current liability	($37)	($27)
Noncurrent liability	-6,097	-13,061
Funded status of the plans	($6,134)	($13,088)

Defined_Benefit_Pension_Plans_5

Defined Benefit Pension Plans Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income	'	'	'
Unrecognized net actuarial loss, Pretax	$9,942	$17,636	'
Unrecognized net actuarial loss, net of tax	5,995	10,577	'
Unrecognized prior service cost, pretax	69	82	'
Unrecognized prior service cost, net of tax	45	49	'
Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income, pretax	10,011	17,718	'
Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	6,040	10,626	'
Amortization of Costs Expected to be Recognized Next Year	'	'	'
Unrecognized net actuarial loss, pretax	708	'	'
Unrecognized net actuarial loss, net of tax	425	'	'
Unrecognized prior service cost, pretax	14	'	'
Unrecognized prior service cost, net of tax	8	'	'
Amortiztion of costs expected to be recognized next year, pretax	722	'	'
Amortization of costs expected to be recognized next year, net of tax	433	'	'
For pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets	'	'	'
Projected benefit obligation	31,888	36,045	32,148
Accumulated benefit obligation	31,599	35,790	'
Fair value of plan assets	$25,754	$22,957	$22,078

Defined_Benefit_Pension_Plans_6

Defined Benefit Pension Plans Actuarial Assumptions (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	Rate	Rate	Rate
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Discount rate	5.20%	4.25%	5.25%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets	7.75%	7.75%	7.75%
Equity Securities [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined benefit plan, target plan asset allocations range minimum	55.00%	'	'
Defined benefit plan, target plan asset allocations range maximum	65.00%	'	'
Fixed Income and Cash [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined benefit plan, target plan asset allocations range minimum	20.00%	'	'
Defined benefit plan, target plan asset allocations range maximum	30.00%	'	'
Alternative Investments [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined benefit plan, target plan asset allocations range minimum	0.00%	'	'
Defined benefit plan, target plan asset allocations range maximum	15.00%	'	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Risk Management Practices, Investment Evaluation Period	'3 years	'	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Risk Management Practices, Investment Evaluation Period	'5 years	'	'

Defined_Benefit_Pension_Plans_7

Defined Benefit Pension Plans Components of Pension Expense (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'	'
Service costs--increase in benefit obligation earned	$222	$185	$134
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	1,515	1,657	1,671
Expected return on plan assets	-1,760	-1,701	-1,908
Settlement loss	0	219	0
Amortization of net actuarial loss	1,388	1,041	535
Amortization of prior service cost	14	14	14
Amortization of transition asset	0	0	-68
Net pension expense of defined benefit pension plans	1,379	1,415	378
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Current Fiscal Year	$1,467	'	'

Defined_Benefit_Pension_Plans_8

Defined Benefit Pension Plans Fair Value of Plan Assets (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total Carrying Value at December 31, 2013	$25,754	$22,957	'
Fair value of plan assets	25,754	22,957	22,078
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	24,028	20,463	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	1,726	2,494	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	'
Money market funds	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total Carrying Value at December 31, 2013	1,726	2,494	'
Money market funds | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	'
Money market funds | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	1,726	2,494	'
Money market funds | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	'
U.S. large-cap equities, growth [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total Carrying Value at December 31, 2013	3,639	2,482	'
U.S. large-cap equities, growth [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	3,639	2,482	'
U.S. large-cap equities, growth [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	'
U.S. large-cap equities, growth [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	'
U.S. large-cap equities, value [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total Carrying Value at December 31, 2013	2,971	1,767	'
U.S. large-cap equities, value [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	2,971	1,767	'
U.S. large-cap equities, value [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	'
U.S. large-cap equities, value [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	'
U.S. small/mid-cap equities, growth [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total Carrying Value at December 31, 2013	1,813	1,516	'
U.S. small/mid-cap equities, growth [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	1,813	1,516	'
U.S. small/mid-cap equities, growth [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	'
U.S. small/mid-cap equities, growth [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	'
U.S. small/mid-cap equities, value [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total Carrying Value at December 31, 2013	1,959	2,149	'
U.S. small/mid-cap equities, value [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	1,959	2,149	'
U.S. small/mid-cap equities, value [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	'
U.S. small/mid-cap equities, value [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	'
International equities, growth [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total Carrying Value at December 31, 2013	2,718	2,183	'
International equities, growth [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	2,718	2,183	'
International equities, growth [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	'
International equities, growth [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	'
International equities, value [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total Carrying Value at December 31, 2013	2,622	2,083	'
International equities, value [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	2,622	2,083	'
International equities, value [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	'
International equities, value [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	'
Fixed income	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total Carrying Value at December 31, 2013	4,423	4,654	'
Fixed income | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	4,423	4,654	'
Fixed income | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	'
Fixed income | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	'
Multiclass world-allocation mutual funds	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total Carrying Value at December 31, 2013	3,883	3,629	'
Multiclass world-allocation mutual funds | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	3,883	3,629	'
Multiclass world-allocation mutual funds | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	'
Multiclass world-allocation mutual funds | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	$0	$0	'

Defined_Benefit_Pension_Plans_9

Defined Benefit Pension Plans Expected Benefits (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Year ending December 31, 2014	$1,374
2015	1,448
2016	1,545
2017	1,668
2018	1,728
Years 2019 to 2023	$9,664

Recovered_Sheet1

Defined Benefit Pension Plans Multiemployer Pension Plans (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]	'	'	'
Multiemployer Plan, Period Contributions	$855	$492	$502
National Electric Benefit Fund [Member]	'	'	'
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of collective-bargaining agreements	8	'	'
Multiemployer Plan, Period Contributions	755	417	442
Eighth District Electrical Pension Fund [Member]	'	'	'
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of collective-bargaining agreements	1	'	'
Multiemployer Plan, Period Contributions	$100	$75	$60

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	Rate	Rate	Rate
Income before income taxes	'	'	'
Income before income taxes	$35,565	$40,658	$23,300
Provision for income taxes	'	'	'
Federal	7,089	15,853	3,065
State	2,183	2,239	2,277
Canadian	1,724	1,578	1,565
Total current	10,996	19,670	6,907
Deferred taxes	1,716	-3,607	2,328
Total taxes on income	12,712	16,063	9,235
Tax rate reconciliation	'	'	'
Statutory U.S. federal tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State income taxes, net of federal benefit	3.60%	3.90%	5.10%
Effect of Canadian income taxes	-1.60%	-1.00%	-1.20%
Nondeductible expenses	1.90%	1.40%	2.50%
ESOP dividend deduction	-0.80%	-0.70%	-1.20%
Audit settlements and uncertain tax adjustments	-2.20%	1.80%	1.80%
Valuation allowance on foreign tax credits	0.00%	0.00%	-1.10%
All other, net	-0.20%	-0.90%	-1.30%
Effective income tax rate	35.70%	39.50%	39.60%
Current deferred tax assets and liabilities, net	'	'	'
Accrued compensation obligations	1,883	2,424	'
Self-insurance accruals	7,693	7,083	'
Prepaid expenses	-2,565	-1,903	'
Other, net	908	1,405	'
Deferred tax assets, current, gross	7,919	9,009	'
Less deferred tax asset valuation allowance	204	194	'
Net deferred income tax assets--current	7,715	8,815	'
Noncurrent deferred tax assets and liabilities, net	'	'	'
Self-insurance accruals	12,129	14,497	'
Intangibles	-234	-341	'
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	895	895	'
Accrued stock compensation	1,550	1,476	'
Defined benefit pension plans	1,873	4,698	'
Foreign tax credit carryforward	768	768	'
Other future deductible amounts, net	1,737	1,470	'
Deferred tax assets, gross, noncurrent	18,718	23,463	'
Less deferred tax asset valuation allowance	564	574	'
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance	18,154	22,889	'
Property and equipment	20,718	21,830	'
Deferred tax liability, noncurrent	20,718	21,830	'
Net deferred tax assets--noncurrent	0	1,059	'
Net deferred tax liabilities--noncurrent	2,564	0	'
Undistributed Earnings of Foreign Subsidiaries	27,000	'	'
Unrecognized benefits and related interest and penalties	'	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits	1,221	2,638	1,825
Portion, if recognized, would reduce tax expense and effective tax rate	942	1,933	'
Accrued interest on unrecognized tax benefits	41	142	'
Accrued penalties on unrecognized benefits	0	0	'
Reconciliation of unrecognized tax benefits	'	'	'
Balance, beginning of year	2,638	1,825	1,524
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	370	667	279
Additions for tax positions of prior years	133	149	101
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	-1,155	-3	-61
Reductions related to settlements with taxing authorities	-460	0	0
Lapses in statutes of limitations	-305	0	-18
Balance, end of year	1,221	2,638	1,825
United States [Member]	'	'	'
Income before income taxes	'	'	'
Income before income taxes	29,203	35,414	18,261
Canada [Member]	'	'	'
Income before income taxes	'	'	'
Income before income taxes	$6,362	$5,244	$5,039

Earnings_Per_Share_Information2

Earnings Per Share Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013	Jun. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 29, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	$5,385	$8,644	$13,436	($4,612)	$7,454	$8,296	$9,416	($571)	$22,853	$24,595	$14,065
Weighted-average shares, basic	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Outstanding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	13,639,356	13,868,000	14,006,093
Partially-paid share subscriptions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	531,325	234,595	0
Basic weighted-average shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	14,170,681	14,102,366	14,006,093
Weighted-average shares, diluted	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Exercise of stock subscription purchase rights	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	34,273	5,750	0
Exercise of stock options and awards	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	397,478	500,741	530,779
Diluted weighted-average shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	14,602,432	14,608,857	14,536,872
Earnings per share--basic:	$0.34	$0.63	$0.97	($0.33)	$0.51	$0.59	$0.68	($0.04)	$1.61	$1.74	$1
Earnings per share--diluted:	$0.35	$0.61	$0.94	($0.33)	$0.50	$0.56	$0.66	($0.04)	$1.57	$1.68	$0.97

Operations_by_Business_Segment2

Operations by Business Segment and Geographic Information Operations by Busines Segment (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Jun. 29, 2013

Mar. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 29, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of Reportable Segments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

Revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$713,848

$680,153

$646,034

Income (loss) from operations

8,687

14,881

23,230

-6,009

13,337

14,652

17,270

508

'

40,789

45,767

32,801

Interest expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-2,708

-2,698

-3,794

Interest income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

311

200

43

Litigation settlement

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-2,900

0

0

-2,900

Other

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-2,827

-2,611

-2,850

Income before income taxes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

35,565

40,658

23,300

Depreciation

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

38,231

37,365

37,818

Amortization

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,980

1,742

1,908

Capital expenditures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

45,205

29,734

34,701

Segment assets, total

333,378

'

'

'

330,932

'

'

'

303,734

333,378

330,932

303,734

Utility Services

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

376,520

375,300

363,365

Income (loss) from operations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

16,070

20,107

13,541

Depreciation

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

22,261

22,844

23,734

Amortization

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

359

465

466

Capital expenditures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

21,642

15,737

17,241

Segment assets, total

145,021

'

'

'

150,294

'

'

'

137,689

145,021

150,294

137,689

Residential Commercial Services

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

334,878

303,420

280,938

Income (loss) from operations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

33,566

30,787

24,243

Depreciation

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

13,286

12,236

12,157

Amortization

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,440

1,058

1,039

Capital expenditures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

17,577

10,266

13,362

Segment assets, total

122,542

'

'

'

122,298

'

'

'

105,552

122,542

122,298

105,552

All Other

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,450

1,433

1,731

Income (loss) from operations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-2,869

-1,366

1,342

Depreciation

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Amortization

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Capital expenditures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Segment assets, total

0

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

0

0

0

0

Reconciling Adjustments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Income (loss) from operations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-5,978

[1]

-3,761

[1]

-6,325

[1]

Interest expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-2,708

-2,698

-3,794

Interest income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

311

200

43

Litigation settlement

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-2,900

Other

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-2,827

-2,611

-2,850

Depreciation

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,684

[2]

2,285

[2]

1,927

[2]

Amortization

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

181

219

403

Capital expenditures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,986

3,731

4,098

Segment assets, total

$65,815

[3]

'

'

'

$58,340

[3]

'

'

'

$60,493

[3]

$65,815

[3]

$58,340

[3]

$60,493

[3]

[1]

Reconciling adjustments from segment reporting to consolidated external financial reporting include reclassification of depreciation expense and allocation of corporate expenses.

[2]

Adjustments to declining-balance method depreciation expense from straight-line method and depreciation and amortization of corporate assets.

[3]

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

Operations_by_Business_Segment3

Operations by Business Segment and Geographic Information Geographic Information (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenues	$713,848	$680,153	$646,034
Long-Lived Assets	181,362	169,183	157,229
United States [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenues	637,524	607,339	577,613
Long-Lived Assets	166,598	153,946	141,108
Canada [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenues	76,324	72,814	68,421
Long-Lived Assets	$14,764	$15,237	$16,121

Fair_Value_Measurements_and_Fi2

Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jul. 22, 2010
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Defined benefit pension plan assets	$25,754	$22,957	$22,078	'
Senior unsecured notes	30,000	30,000	'	30,000
Long-term debt	50,034	54,787	'	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Defined benefit pension plan assets	24,028	20,463	'	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Defined benefit pension plan assets	1,726	2,494	'	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Defined benefit pension plan assets	0	0	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, 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	12,716	10,758	'	'
Fuel derivatives, classified as other current assets	'	0	'	'
Defined benefit pension plan assets	24,028	20,463	'	'
Fuel derivatives, classified as accrued expenses	'	0	'	'
Deferred compensation	0	0	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, 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	'	'
Fuel derivatives, classified as other current assets	'	38	'	'
Defined benefit pension plan assets	1,726	2,494	'	'
Fuel derivatives, classified as accrued expenses	'	24	'	'
Deferred compensation	1,144	873	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, 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	'	'
Fuel derivatives, classified as other current assets	'	0	'	'
Defined benefit pension plan assets	0	0	'	'
Fuel derivatives, classified as accrued expenses	'	0	'	'
Deferred compensation	0	0	'	'
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Assets invested for self-insurance, classified as other assets, noncurrent	12,716	10,758	'	'
Fuel derivatives, classified as other current assets	'	38	'	'
Defined benefit pension plan assets	25,754	22,957	'	'
Fuel derivatives, classified as accrued expenses	'	24	'	'
Deferred compensation	1,144	873	'	'
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Fuel derivatives, classified as other current assets	0	'	'	'
Fuel derivatives, classified as accrued expenses	0	'	'	'
Revolving credit facility, noncurrent	20,000	24,200	'	'
Senior unsecured notes	30,000	30,000	'	'
Term loans, noncurrent	34	587	'	'
Long-term debt	50,034	54,787	'	'
Portion at Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revolving credit facility, noncurrent	20,000	24,200	'	'
Senior unsecured notes	28,219	29,762	'	'
Term loans, noncurrent	34	587	'	'
Long-term debt	$48,253	$54,549	'	'

Fair_Value_Measurements_and_Fi3

Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments Fair Value of Derivatives (Details) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Change During Period, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]

Change During Period, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]

Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]

Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]

Longest remaining term, in months [Member]

Longest remaining term, in months [Member]

Notional hedged volume, in thousands of gallons [Member]

Notional hedged volume, in thousands of gallons [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedges

Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedges

Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedges

gal

gal

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]

Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Asset fair value of fuel derivatives, classified as other current assets

'

'

'

'

'

$0

'

'

'

'

'

$0

$38

$0

'

'

'

Liability fair value of fuel derivatives, classified as accrued expenses

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

0

24

0

'

'

'

Liability fair value of fuel derivatives, classified as other noncurrent liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Longest remaining term, in months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'12 months

'0 months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Notional hedged volume, in thousands of gallons

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

1,250,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Hedge gains, recognized in other comprehensive income

0

123

917

0

123

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

123

917

Change in fair value, recognized in results of operations, as a reduction in costs and expenses, operating

'

'

'

$139

$650

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Letters of credit issued	$54,909

Quarterly_Results_of_Operation2

Quarterly Results of Operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013	Jun. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 29, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$180,173	$194,772	$195,638	$143,265	$172,451	$178,647	$182,411	$146,644	$713,848	$680,153	$646,034
Gross profit (revenues less costs and expenses, operating)	63,837	69,114	76,046	42,205	65,578	64,544	65,939	46,760	'	'	'
Income (loss) from operations	8,687	14,881	23,230	-6,009	13,337	14,652	17,270	508	40,789	45,767	32,801
Net income (loss)	5,385	8,644	13,436	-4,612	7,454	8,296	9,416	-571	22,853	24,595	14,065
Net income (loss) per share--Basic	$0.34	$0.63	$0.97	($0.33)	$0.51	$0.59	$0.68	($0.04)	$1.61	$1.74	$1
Net income (loss) per share -- Diluted:	$0.35	$0.61	$0.94	($0.33)	$0.50	$0.56	$0.66	($0.04)	$1.57	$1.68	$0.97
ESOT Valuation per share	$26.40	$23.90	$23.20	$23.20	$23.20	$20.80	$19.70	$19.70	'	'	'
Decrease in casualty insurance expense	$5,402	'	'	'	$5,136	'	'	'	'	'	'