Davey Tree Expert 10Q 2017 Q1 Quarterly report

Davey Tree Expert 10-Q2017 Q1 Quarterly report

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended April 1, 2017

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

For the transition period from ______________ to ______________

Commission file number 000-11917

THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



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

1500 North Mantua Street
P.O. Box 5193
Kent, Ohio 44240
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

(330) 673-9511
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No ¨

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

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

There were 12,410,000 Common Shares, $1.00 par value, outstanding as of April 28, 2017.

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The Davey Tree Expert Company

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

April 1, 2017

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		Page
Part I.	Financial Information

Item 1.	Financial Statements (Unaudited)
	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets	2
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations	3
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)	4
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	5
	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
	A — Basis of Financial Statement Preparation	6
	B — Seasonality of Business	9
	C — Accounts Receivable, Net and Supplemental Balance-Sheet Information	9
	D — Business Combinations	10
	E — Identified Intangible Assets and Goodwill, Net	11
	F — Long-Term Debt and Commitments Related to Letters of Credit	11
	G — Stock-Based Compensation	13
	H — Net Periodic Benefit Cost--Defined Benefit Pension Plans	16
	I — Income Taxes	17
	J — Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	17
	K — Per Share Amounts and Common Shares Outstanding	19
	L — Operations by Business Segment	20
	M — Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments	22
	N — Contingencies	24

Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	25
	Results of Operations	25
	Liquidity and Capital Resources	27
	Cash Flow Summary	27
	Contractual Obligations Summary and Commercial Commitments	30
	Capital Resources	30
	Recent Accounting Guidance	31
	Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates	33
	Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements	33

Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	34

Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	35

Part II.	Other Information

Item 1A.	Risk Factors	36

Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	41

Item 6.	Exhibits	41

Signatures		42

Exhibit Index		43

We,” “us,” “our,” “Davey” and “Davey Tree,” unless the context otherwise requires, means The Davey Tree Expert Company and its subsidiaries.

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THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share data dollar amounts)



	April 1, 2017			December 31, 2016
Assets
Current assets:
Cash	$	8,642		$	9,006
Accounts receivable, net	146,112			146,134
Operating supplies	9,556			7,277
Other current assets	18,025			16,356
Total current assets	182,335			178,773

Property and equipment	601,121			588,650
Less accumulated depreciation	408,744			409,214
	192,377			179,436

Other assets	31,711			31,354
Identified intangible assets and goodwill, net	41,666			34,376
	$	448,089		$	423,939
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	38,620		$	41,283
Accrued expenses	28,916			37,659
Other current liabilities	38,667			39,963
Total current liabilities	106,203			118,905

Long-term debt	126,837			92,290
Self-insurance accruals	43,358			39,746
Other noncurrent liabilities	20,070			20,819
	296,468			271,760
Common shareholders' equity:

Common shares, $1.00 par value, per share; 48,000 shares authorized; 21,457 shares issued and outstanding before deducting treasury shares as of April 1, 2017 and December 31, 2016	21,457			21,457
Additional paid-in capital	26,562			23,886
Common shares subscribed, unissued	8,202			8,209
Retained earnings	285,916			290,292
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(11,683		)	(12,162		)
	330,454			331,682
Less: Cost of common shares held in treasury; 8,919 shares at April 1, 2017 and 8,995 shares at December 31, 2016	175,998			176,530
Common shares subscription receivable	2,835			2,973

	151,621			152,179
	$	448,089		$	423,939

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share dollar amounts)



	Three Months Ended
	April 1, 2017			April 2, 2016
Revenues	$	192,813		$	180,833

Costs and expenses:
Operating	133,659			123,173
Selling	35,534			34,330
General and administrative	16,747			17,139
Depreciation and amortization	12,190			11,341
Gain on sale of assets, net	(975		)	(30		)
	197,155			185,953

Loss from operations	(4,342		)	(5,120		)

Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(1,257		)	(965		)
Interest income	70			68
Other, net	(792		)	(599		)

Loss before income taxes	(6,321		)	(6,616		)

Income tax benefits	(2,434		)	(2,428		)

Net loss	$	(3,887	)	$	(4,188	)

Net loss per share--basic and diluted	$	(.31	)	$	(.33	)

Weighted-average shares outstanding--basic and diluted	12,587			12,878

Dividends declared per share	$	.05		$	.05

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)(Unaudited)

(In thousands)



	Three Months Ended
	April 1, 2017			April 2, 2016
Net loss	$	(3,887	)	$	(4,188	)
Components of other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	322			1,752
Adjustments to defined benefit pension plans:
Reclassification to results of operations:
Amortization of defined benefit pension items:
Net actuarial loss	147			362
Prior service cost	10			—
Defined benefit pension plan adjustments	157			362

Other comprehensive income, net of tax	479			2,114

Comprehensive loss	$	(3,408	)	$	(2,074	)

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

(In thousands)



	Three Months Ended
	April 1, 2017			April 2, 2016
Operating activities
Net loss	$	(3,887	)	$	(4,188	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	12,190			11,341
Other	(458		)	(1,284		)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	1,771			(5,694		)
Operating liabilities	(8,695		)	(2,677		)
Other, net	(5,078		)	(2,407		)
	(270		)	(721		)
Net cash used in operating activities	(4,157		)	(4,909		)

Investing activities
Capital expenditures:
Equipment	(21,616		)	(25,786		)
Land and building	(911		)	(284		)
Purchases of businesses	(7,452		)	—
Other	1,207			59
Net cash used in investing activities	(28,772		)	(26,011		)

Financing activities
Revolving credit facility proceeds, net	33,000			27,000
Purchase of common shares for treasury	(2,002		)	(1,936		)
Sale of common shares from treasury	5,340			4,768
Dividends	(650		)	(664		)
Payments of notes payable	(3,123		)	(2,169		)
Net cash provided by financing activities	32,565			26,999

Decrease in cash	(364		)	(3,921		)

Cash, beginning of period	9,006			16,030
Cash, end of period	$	8,642		$	12,109

Supplemental cash flow information follows:
Interest paid	$	1,482		$	1,328
Income taxes paid	2,506			748

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

April 1, 2017

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)


A.	Basis of Financial Statement Preparation

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

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

Certain information and disclosures required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements have been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. We suggest that these condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 (the “2016 Annual Report”).

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

Interim Results of Operations--Interim results may not be indicative of calendar year performance because of seasonal and short-term variations.

Recent Accounting Guidance

Accounting Standards Adopted in 2017

Accounting Standards Update 2016-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting--In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting,” with the objective to simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including: the income tax consequences; classification of awards as either equity or liabilities; classification of certain items on the statement of cash flows; and, accounting for forfeitures. ASU 2016-09 became effective for Davey Tree on January 1, 2017 and we elected to make an accounting policy change to recognize forfeitures as they occur. The adoption impact on the consolidated condensed balance sheet was a cumulative-effect adjustment of $162, increasing opening retained earnings and decreasing additional paid-in capital.

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The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

April 1, 2017

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)


A.	Basis of Financial Statement Preparation (continued)

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

Accounting Standards Update 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment--In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350),” which simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test which required entities to fair value their assets and liabilities using procedures that would be followed in an assumed business combination to arrive at the impairment charge. Under ASU 2017-04, the goodwill impairment test is performed by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount and an impairment charge should be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. The update is effective for annual or interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019, which for Davey Tree is January 1, 2020. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017. The Company intends to early adopt ASU 2017-04 during the fourth quarter 2017 and does not expect the adoption to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or related disclosures.

Accounting Standards Update 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force)--In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments,” which provides guidance on how cash receipts and cash payments related to eight specific cash flow issues are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows, with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. The update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, which for Davey Tree would be January 1, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. We do not expect the adoption of ASU 2016-15 to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards Update 2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost--In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, “Compensation-Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost,” which changes the presentation of net periodic benefit cost related to employer sponsored defined benefit plans and other postretirement benefits. Under ASU 2017-07, service costs will be included within the same income statement line item as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by pertinent employees during the period. The other components of net periodic benefit pension cost will be presented separately outside of income from operations. Additionally, only service costs may be capitalized in assets. ASU 2017-07 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, which for Davey Tree is January 1, 2018. Management has not yet completed its assessment of the impact of the new standard on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)--In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606),” which will replace all current U.S. GAAP guidance on revenue recognition and eliminate all industry-specific guidance.

The new revenue recognition guidance provides a unified model to determine when and how revenue is recognized. The underlying principle is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods and services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration which the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods and services. The guidance provides a five-step analysis of transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized. Other major provisions include capitalization of certain contract costs, consideration of the time value of money in the transaction price, and allowing estimates of variable consideration to be recognized before contingencies are resolved in certain circumstances. The guidance also requires enhanced

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The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

April 1, 2017

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)


A.	Basis of Financial Statement Preparation (continued)

information to be presented in the financial statements regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from an entity’s contracts with customers.

Subsequent to the issuance of ASU 2014-09, the FASB has provided additional implementation guidance updates related to ASU 2014-09, including:


a.	ASU 2015-14, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date (‘Update 2015-14’),” which responded to stakeholders’ requests to defer the effective date of the guidance in ASU 2014-09.


b.	ASU 2016-08, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net ) (‘Update 2016-08’),” which clarifies the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations.


c.	ASU 2016-10, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing (‘Update 2016-10’),” which clarifies multiple aspects of Topic 606.


d.	ASU 2016-12, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients (‘Update 2016-12’),” which provides clarifying guidance in a few narrow areas and adds some practical expedients to the guidance.

The effective date and the transition requirements for the Updates are the same as the effective date of Topic 606 ASU 2015-14, which becomes effective for Davey Tree beginning with the first quarter 2018 and can be adopted either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. The FASB also affirmed its proposal to permit all entities to apply the new revenue standard early, but not before the original effective date, which for Davey Tree would be the first quarter 2017. The new revenue guidance will supersede existing revenue guidance affecting our Company, and may also affect our business processes and our information technology systems.

Management has assembled an internal project team and is reviewing our contracts and agreements with our customers under the provisions of the new standard. The Company currently expects revenue recognition for many of its services to remain unchanged, except for the interim recognition of certain variable, incentive-based components of contracts due to the timing of revenue recognition. The Company is also in the process of evaluating the disclosure requirements under the standard and any necessary changes to our systems, policies and controls as a result. We plan to adopt ASU 2014-09 using the modified retrospective approach effective January 1, 2018.

Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842)--In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842).” ASU 2016-02 establishes a comprehensive new lease accounting model. The new standard: (a) clarifies the definition of a lease; (b) requires a dual approach to lease classification similar to current lease classifications; and, (c) causes lessees to recognize leases on the balance sheet as a lease liability with a corresponding right-of-use asset for leases with a lease-term of more than twelve months. The new standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, which for Davey Tree would be January 1, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. The new standard requires a modified retrospective transition for capital or operating leases existing at or entered into after the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, but it does not require transition accounting for leases that expire prior to the date of initial application. We are currently evaluating the impact of the new standard on our consolidated financial statements.

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The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

April 1, 2017

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)


B.	Seasonality of Business

Due to the seasonality of our business, our operating results for the three months ended April 1, 2017 are not indicative of results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the year ending December 31, 2017. Business seasonality traditionally results in higher revenues during the second and third quarters as compared with the first and fourth quarters of the year, while the methods of accounting for fixed costs, such as depreciation expense, amortization, rent and interest expense, are not significantly impacted by business seasonality.


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

Accounts receivable, net, consisted of the following:



Accounts receivable, net	April 1, 2017		December 31, 2016
Accounts receivable	$	119,257	$	128,202
Receivables under contractual arrangements	30,164		21,541
	149,421		149,743
Less allowances for doubtful accounts	3,309		3,609
Accounts receivable, net	$	146,112	$	146,134

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:



Accrued expenses	April 1, 2017		December 31, 2016
Employee compensation	$	9,450	$	18,438
Accrued compensated absences	9,331		9,215
Self-insured medical claims	4,622		2,961
Income tax payable	324		953
Customer advances, deposits	456		2,997
Taxes, other than income	3,366		2,166
Other	1,367		929
Total	$	28,916	$	37,659

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The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

April 1, 2017

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)


D.	Business Combinations

Our investment in businesses during the first three months of 2017 was 10,877, including debt issued, in the form of notes payable to the seller, of $3,099. Measurement-period adjustments are not complete. The measurement period for purchase price allocations ends as soon as information of the facts and circumstances becomes available, but does not exceed one year from the acquisition date. During the three months ended April 2, 2016, our investment in businesses was $93, with liabilities assumed of $93 and no debt issued.

In March 2017, the Company acquired all of the outstanding common stock of Arborguard Tree Specialists Inc. (“Arborguard”), a residential and commercial tree care company, and certain assets of TTS&G, LLC, a leasing company related to Arborguard, for $7,200 in cash, with liabilities assumed of $1,119 and debt issued of $2,724. Arborguard’s revenue for the year ended February 28, 2017 was approximately $10,711.

The acquisition of Arborguard was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting. The entire purchase price allocation for Arborguard is preliminary. At April 1, 2017, the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed have been preliminarily estimated and the excess consideration of $6,791 has been preliminarily recorded as goodwill due to the proximity of the acquisition to the quarter-end date and pending finalization of the fair value. These preliminary estimates will be revised during the measurement period in 2017 as all pertinent information regarding finalization of the valuations for fixed assets, intangible assets, goodwill (including the amount expected to be deductible for tax purposes), tangible assets, other liabilities and deferred income tax assets and liabilities acquired are fully evaluated by the Company.

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



	Three Months Ended
	April 1, 2017
Detail of acquisitions:
Assets acquired:
Cash	$	326
Receivables	1,749
Prepaid expense	126
Equipment	2,008
Deposits and other	52
Intangibles	7,757
Liabilities assumed	(1,141		)
Debt issued for purchases of businesses	(3,099		)
Cash paid	$	7,778

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 period ending April 1, 2017 was not significant. Pro forma net sales and results of operations for the acquisition had it occurred at the beginning of the three months ended April 1, 2017 are not material and, accordingly, are not provided.

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The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

April 1, 2017

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)


E.	Identified Intangible Assets and Goodwill, Net

The carrying amounts of the identified intangibles and goodwill acquired in connection with our historical investments in businesses were as follows:



	April 1, 2017				December 31, 2016
Identified Intangible Assets and Goodwill, Net	Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Amortized intangible assets:
Customer lists/relationships	$	18,323	$	15,536	$	17,822	$	15,171
Employment-related	7,074		6,432		7,032		6,386
Tradenames	5,659		4,922		5,634		4,860

Amortized intangible assets	$	31,056	$	26,890	$	30,488	$	26,417

Less accumulated amortization	26,890				26,417

Identified intangibles, net	4,166				4,071

Unamortized intangible assets:
Goodwill	37,500				30,305
	$	41,666			$	34,376


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

Our long-term debt consisted of the following:



	April 1, 2017		December 31, 2016
Revolving credit facility
Swing-line borrowings	$	7,000	$	10,000
LIBOR borrowings	93,000		57,000
	100,000		67,000
Senior unsecured notes	24,000		24,000
Term loans	15,812		16,151
Capital leases	2,658		2,343
	142,470		109,494
Less debt issuance costs	298		333
Less current portion	15,335		16,871
	$	126,837	$	92,290

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The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

April 1, 2017

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)


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

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.

As of April 1, 2017, we had unused commitments under the facility approximating $70,929, with $104,071 committed, consisting of borrowings of $100,000 and issued letters of credit of $4,071.

Borrowings outstanding bear interest, at Davey Tree’s option, of either (a) a 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 1.50%, or (iii) the federal funds rate plus .50%. A commitment fee ranging from .10% to .25% is also required based on the average daily unborrowed commitment.

5.09% Senior Unsecured Notes--The senior unsecured notes are due July 22, 2020 and were issued during July 2010 as 5.09% Senior Unsecured Notes, Series A (the "5.09% Senior Notes"), pursuant to a Master Note Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) between the Company and the purchasers of the 5.09% Senior Notes.

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

Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility--On May 9, 2016, Davey Tree entered into a one-year agreement with a bank for an accounts receivable securitization facility (the “AR securitization program”), whereby Davey Tree has pledged a first priority security interest in certain trade receivables in exchange for the bank issuing letters of credit (“LCs”) with a committed facility limit of $60,000.

As of April 1, 2017, we had issued letters of credit of $58,150 under the terms of the AR securitization program.

Under the AR securitization program, Davey Tree transfers by selling or contributing current and future trade receivables to a wholly-owned, bankruptcy-remote financing subsidiary which pledges a perfected first priority security interest in the trade receivables--equal to the issued letters of credit as of April 1, 2017--to the bank in exchange for the bank issuing LCs.

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

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The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

April 1, 2017

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)


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

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

Total Commitments Related to Issued Letters of Credit--As of April 1, 2017, total commitments related to issued letters of credit were $64,221, of which $4,071 were issued under the revolving credit facility, $58,150 were issued under the AR securitization program, and $2,000 were issued under short-term lines of credit. As of December 31, 2016, total commitments related to issued letters of credit were $64,225, of which $4,071 were issued under the revolving credit facility, $58,150 were issued under the AR securitization facility, and $2,004 were issued under short-term lines of credit.


G.	Stock-Based Compensation

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

Stock-based compensation expense under all share-based payment plans -- our Employee Stock Purchase Plan, stock option plans, stock-settled stock appreciation rights and performance-based restricted stock units -- included in the results of operations follows:



	Three Months Ended
	April 1, 2017		April 2, 2016
Compensation expense, all share-based payment plans	$	986	$	646

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Index

The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

April 1, 2017

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)


G.	Stock-Based Compensation (continued)

Stock-based compensation consisted of the following:

Employee Stock Purchase Plan--Under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, all full-time employees with one year of service are eligible to purchase, through payroll deduction, common shares. Employee purchases under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan are at 85% of the fair market value of the common shares--a 15% discount. We recognize compensation costs as payroll deductions are made. The 15% discount of total shares purchased under the plan resulted in compensation cost of $219 being recognized for the three months ended April 1, 2017 and $172 for the three months ended April 2, 2016.

Stock Option Plans--The stock options outstanding were awarded under a graded vesting schedule, measured at fair value, and have a term of ten years. Compensation costs for stock options are recognized over the requisite service period on the straight-line recognition method. Compensation cost recognized for stock options was $201 for the three months ended April 1, 2017 and $129 for the three months ended April 2, 2016.

Stock-Settled Stock Appreciation Rights--During the three months ended April 1, 2017, the Compensation Committee awarded 76,000 stock-settled stock appreciation rights (“SSARs”) to certain management employees, which vest ratably over five years. A SSAR is an award that allows the recipient to receive common shares equal to the appreciation in the fair market value of our common shares between the date the award was granted and the conversion date of the shares vested.

The following table summarizes our SSARs as of April 1, 2017.



Stock-Settled Stock Appreciation Rights	Number of Rights		Weighted- Average Award Date Value		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life	Unrecognized Compensation Cost		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Unvested, January 1, 2017	371,831		$	5.50
Granted	76,000		7.14
Forfeited	—		—
Vested	(117,274	)	5.27
Unvested, April 1, 2017	330,557		$	5.96	3.0 years	$	1,814	$	11,636

Employee SSARs	327,558		$	6.00	3.0 years	$	1,813	$	11,530
Nonemployee Director SSARs	2,999		$	2.03	0.2 years	$	1	$	106

Compensation costs for SSARs are determined using a fair-value method and amortized over the requisite service period. Compensation expense for SSARs was $244 for the three months ended April 1, 2017 and $146 for the three months ended April 2, 2016.

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Index

The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

April 1, 2017

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)


G.	Stock-Based Compensation (continued)

Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units--During the three months ended April 1, 2017, the Compensation Committee awarded 34,043 performance-based restricted stock units to certain directors and management employees. The Compensation Committee made similar awards in prior periods. The awards vest over specified periods. The following table summarizes performance-based restricted stock units as of April 1, 2017.



Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units	Number of Stock Units		Weighted- Average Grant Date Value		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life	Unrecognized Compensation Cost		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Unvested, January 1, 2017	152,479		$	26.43
Granted	34,043		34.01
Forfeited	—		—
Vested	(18,167	)	20.25

Unvested, April 1, 2017	168,355		$	28.63	3.0 years	$	2,953	$	5,926

Compensation cost for restricted stock awards is determined using a fair-value method and amortized on the straight-line recognition method over the requisite service period. Compensation expense on restricted stock awards totaled $322 for the three months ended April 1, 2017 and $199 for the three months ended April 2, 2016.

We estimated the fair value of each stock-based award on the date of grant using a binomial option-pricing model. The binomial model considers a range of assumptions related to volatility, risk-free interest rate and employee exercise behavior. Expected volatilities utilized in the binomial model are based on historical volatility of our stock prices and other factors. Similarly, the dividend yield is based on historical experience and expected future changes. The binomial model also incorporates exercise 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 assumption.



	Three Months Ended
	April 1, 2017		April 2, 2016
Volatility rate	10.3	%	10.6	%
Risk-free interest rate	2.3	%	2.1	%
Expected dividend yield	.7	%	.7	%
Expected life of awards (years)	8.5		9.2

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Index

The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

April 1, 2017

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)


G.	Stock-Based Compensation (continued)

General Stock Option Information--The following table summarizes activity under the stock option plans for the three months ended April 1, 2017.



Stock Options	Number of Options Outstanding		Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding, January 1, 2017	799,648		$	24.97
Granted	—		—
Exercised	(8,925	)	21.52
Forfeited	(31,287	)	25.41
Outstanding, April 1, 2017	759,436		$	25.00	6.6 years	$	7,746

Exercisable, April 1, 2017	337,236		$	20.47	4.9 years	$	4,846

As of April 1, 2017, there was approximately $1,603 of unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options outstanding. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.6 years. “Intrinsic value” is defined as the amount by which the market price of a common share exceeds the exercise price of an option.

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


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

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



	Three Months Ended
	April 1, 2017			April 2, 2016
Components of pension expense (income)
Service costs--increase in benefit obligation earned	$	133		$	100
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	263			317
Expected return on plan assets	(169		)	(277		)
Settlement loss	—			453
Amortization of net actuarial loss	237			243
Amortization of prior service cost	16			—
Net pension expense of defined benefit pension plans	$	480		$	836

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Index

The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

April 1, 2017

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)


I.	Income Taxes

Our income tax provision for interim periods is determined using an estimate of our annual effective tax rate adjusted for discrete items, if any, that are taken into account in the relevant period. Each quarter we update our estimate of the annual effective tax rate and, if our estimated annual tax rate changes, we make a cumulative adjustment. The effective tax rate for the three months ended April 1, 2017 is estimated to approximate 38.5% . Our effective tax rate for the three months ended April 2, 2016 was estimated at 39.7%.

At December 31, 2016, we had unrecognized tax benefits of $2,532, of which $2,053 would affect our effective rate if recognized, and accrued interest expense related to unrecognized benefits of $107. At April 1, 2017, there were no significant changes in the unrecognized tax benefits, including the amount that would affect our effective rate if recognized, or the accrued interest expense related to the unrecognized benefits. Unrecognized tax benefits are the differences between a tax position taken, or expected to be taken in a tax return, and the benefit recognized for financial reporting purposes.

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 2012. As of April 1, 2017, we believe it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will not significantly increase or decrease.


J.	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

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

The following summarizes the components of other comprehensive income (loss) accumulated in shareholders’ equity for the three months ended April 1, 2017 and three months ended April 2, 2016:



	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Defined Benefit Pension Plans			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance at January 1, 2017	$	(5,500	)	$	(6,662	)	$	(12,162	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
Unrealized gains	$	322		$	—		$	322
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	—			253			253
Tax effect	—			(96		)	(96		)
Net of tax amount	322			157			479
Balance at April 1, 2017	$	(5,178	)	$	(6,505	)	$	(11,683	)

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Index

The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

April 1, 2017

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)


J.	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Continued)



	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Defined Benefit Pension Plans			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance at January 1, 2016	$	(6,244	)	$	(7,150	)	$	(13,394	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
Unrealized gains	$	1,752		$	—		$	1,752
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	—			592			592
Tax effect	—			(230		)	(230		)
Net of tax amount	1,752			362			2,114
Balance at April 2, 2016	$	(4,492	)	$	(6,788	)	$	(11,280	)

The change in defined benefit pension plans of $253 for the three months ended April 1, 2017 and the $592 for the three months ended April 2, 2016 is included in net periodic pension expense and is classified in the condensed statement of operations as costs and expenses, general and administrative.

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Index

The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

April 1, 2017

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)


K.	Per Share Amounts and Common Shares Outstanding

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



	Three Months Ended
	April 1, 2017			April 2, 2016
Income available to common shareholders:
Net loss	$	(3,887	)	$	(4,188	)

Weighted-average shares:
Basic:
Outstanding	12,483			12,771
Partially-paid share subscriptions	104			107
Basic weighted-average shares	12,587			12,878

Diluted:
Basic from above	12,587			12,878
Incremental shares from assumed:
Exercise of stock subscription purchase rights	73			69
Exercise of stock options and awards	448			462
Diluted weighted-average shares	13,108			13,409

Net loss per share--basic and diluted	$	(.31	)	$	(.33	)

Common Shares Outstanding--A summary of the activity of the common shares outstanding for the three months ended April 1, 2017 follows:



Shares outstanding at January 1, 2017	12,461,570
Shares purchased	(59,518	)
Shares sold	123,759
Stock subscription offering -- cash purchases	1,910
Options and awards exercised	10,024
	76,175
Shares outstanding at April 1, 2017	12,537,745

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Index

The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

April 1, 2017

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)


K.	Per Share Amounts and Common Shares Outstanding (continued)

On April 1, 2017, we had 12,537,745 common shares outstanding, employee options exercisable to purchase 337,236 common shares, partially-paid subscriptions for 416,350 common shares and purchase rights outstanding for 167,651 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.


L.	Operations by Business Segment

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

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

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Index

The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

April 1, 2017

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)


L.	Operations by Business Segment (continued)

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

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

Measurement of Segment Profit and Loss and Segment Assets--We evaluate performance and allocate resources based primarily on operating income and also actively manage business unit operating assets. Segment information, including reconciling adjustments, is presented consistent with the basis described in our 2016 Annual Report.

Segment information reconciled to consolidated external reporting information follows:



	Utility		Residential and Commercial			All Other			Reconciling Adjustments				Consolidated
Three Months Ended April 1, 2017
Revenues	$	112,478	$	79,587		$	748		$	—			$	192,813
Income (loss) from operations	2,658		(3,582		)	(2,575		)	(843		)	(a)	(4,342		)
Interest expense									(1,257		)		(1,257		)
Interest income									70				70
Other income (expense), net									(792		)		(792		)
Loss before income taxes													$	(6,321	)
Segment assets, total	$	176,504	$	171,777		$	—		$	99,808		(b)	$	448,089

Three Months Ended April 2, 2016
Revenues	$	100,028	$	80,334		$	471		$	—			$	180,833
Income (loss) from operations	1,474		(1,436		)	(3,106		)	(2,052		)	(a)	(5,120		)
Interest expense									(965		)		(965		)
Interest income									68				68
Other income (expense), net									(599		)		(599		)
Loss before income taxes													$	(6,616	)
Segment assets, total	$	164,107	$	160,742		$	—		$	90,920		(b)	$	415,769

Reconciling adjustments from segment reporting to consolidated external financial reporting include unallocated corporate items:


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


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

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Index

The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

April 1, 2017

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)


M.	Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments

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

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

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

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

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

Our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at April 1, 2017 were as follows:



			Fair Value Measurements at April 1, 2017 Using:
Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis	Total Carrying Value at April 1, 2017		Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Assets invested for self-insurance, classified as other assets, noncurrent	$	15,902	$	15,902	$	—	$	—

Liabilities:
Deferred compensation	$	1,874	$	—	$	1,874	$	—

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Index

The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

April 1, 2017

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)


M.	Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments (continued)

Our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2016 were as follows:



			Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2016 Using:
Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis	Total Carrying Value at December 31, 2016		Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Assets invested for self-insurance, classified as other assets, noncurrent	$	15,492	$	15,492	$	—	$	—

Liabilities:
Deferred compensation	$	1,837	$	—	$	1,837	$	—

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 the deferred compensation--classified as Level 2--is based on the value of the Company's common shares, determined by independent valuation.

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



	April 1, 2017				December 31, 2016
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
Revolving credit facility, noncurrent	$	100,000	$	100,000	$	67,000	$	67,000
Senior unsecured notes	18,000		18,408		18,000		18,509
Term loans, noncurrent	9,135		11,372		7,623		9,854
Total	$	127,135	$	129,780	$	92,623	$	95,363

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

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

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Index

The Davey Tree Expert Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

April 1, 2017

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)


N.	Contingencies

We are party to a number of lawsuits, threatened lawsuits and other claims arising out of the normal course of business. Management is of the opinion that liabilities which may result are adequately covered by insurance, or reflected in the self-insurance accruals, and would not be material in relation to the financial position or results of operations.

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Index


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

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

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

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

Our Business--Our operating results are reported in two segments: Residential and Commercial, and Utility. Residential and Commercial provides services to our residential and commercial customers including: the treatment, preservation, maintenance, removal and planting of trees, shrubs and other plant life; the practice of landscaping, grounds maintenance, tree surgery, tree feeding and tree spraying; the application of fertilizer, herbicides and insecticides; and, natural resource management and consulting, forestry research and development, and environmental planning. Utility is principally engaged in providing services to our utility customers--investor-owned, municipal utilities, and rural electric cooperatives--including: the practice of line-clearing and vegetation management around power lines, 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."

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

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



	Three Months Ended
	April 1, 2017		April 2, 2016		Percentage Change
Revenues	100.0	%	100.0	%	—	%

Costs and expenses:
Operating	69.3		68.1		1.2
Selling	18.4		18.9		(.5	)
General and administrative	8.7		9.5		(.8	)
Depreciation and amortization	6.4		6.3		.1
Gain on sale of assets, net	(.5	)	—		(.5	)

Loss from operations	(2.3	)	(2.8	)	.5

Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(.6	)	(.5	)	(.1	)
Interest income	—		—		—
Other, net	(.4	)	(.3	)	(.1	)

Loss before income taxes	(3.3	)	(3.6	)	.3

Income tax benefits	(1.3	)	(1.3	)	—

Net loss	(2.0	)%	(2.3	)%	.3	%

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Index

First Quarter—Three Months Ended April 1, 2017 Compared to Three Months Ended April 2, 2016

Our results of operations for the three months ended April 1, 2017 compared to the three months ended April 2, 2016 follows:



	Three Months Ended
	April 1, 2017			April 2, 2016			Change			Percentage Change
Revenues	$	192,813		$	180,833		$	11,980		6.6	%

Costs and expenses:
Operating	133,659			123,173			10,486			8.5
Selling	35,534			34,330			1,204			3.5
General and administrative	16,747			17,139			(392		)	(2.3	)
Depreciation and amortization	12,190			11,341			849			7.5
Gain on sale of assets, net	(975		)	(30		)	(945		)	nm
	197,155			185,953			11,202			6.0

Loss from operations	(4,342		)	(5,120		)	778			(15.2	)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(1,257		)	(965		)	(292		)	30.3
Interest income	70			68			2			2.9
Other, net	(792		)	(599		)	(193		)	32.2
Loss before income taxes	(6,321		)	(6,616		)	295			(4.5	)

Income tax benefits	(2,434		)	(2,428		)	(6		)	.2

Net loss	$	(3,887	)	$	(4,188	)	$	301		(7.2	)%

nm--not meaningful

Revenues--Revenues of $192,813 increased $11,980 compared with $180,833 in the first quarter 2016. Utility increased $12,450 or 12.4% compared with the first quarter 2016. The increase is attributable to increased work year-over-year on existing accounts as well as new accounts and increased productivity which offset lost contracts and delays on other accounts. Residential and Commercial decreased $747 or .9% compared with the first quarter 2016. Decreases in snow removal revenue were partially offset by an increase in tree surgery revenue. Total revenues of $192,813 include an increase of production incentive revenue, recognized under the completed-performance method, of $22 during the first quarter 2017 compared with an increase of $291 during the first quarter 2016.

Operating Expenses--Operating expenses of $133,659 increased $10,486 compared with the first quarter 2016 and, as a percentage of revenues, increased 1.2% to 69.3%. Utility increased $10,207 or 13.5% compared with the first quarter 2016 and, as a percentage of revenues, increased .9% to 76.6%. Increases in labor expenses, fuel expense, subcontractor expense and material expense were partially offset by decreases in equipment maintenance expense. Residential and Commercial decreased $164 or .4% compared with the first quarter 2016 but, as a percentage of revenues, increased .2% to 58.5%. Decreases in subcontractor expense, tools and parts and chemical expense were partially offset by increases in labor expenses, fuel expense and material expense.

Fuel costs of $5,611 increased $1,250, or 28.7%, from the $4,361 incurred in the first quarter 2016 and impacted operating expenses within all segments. The $1,250 increase included price increases approximating $1,096 and usage increases approximating $154.

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Selling Expenses--Selling expenses of $35,534 increased $1,204 compared with the first quarter 2016 but as a percentage of revenues decreased .5% to 18.4%. Utility increased $484 or 4.2% over the first quarter 2016 but as a percentage of revenues decreased .9% to 10.6%. Increases in field management wages and incentive expense were partially offset by decreases in travel and living expenses. Residential and Commercial increased $819 or 3.5% over the first quarter 2016 and, as a percentage of revenues increased 1.3% to 30.7%. Increases in field management wages and incentive expense, office support wages and benefits were partially offset by decreases in advertising, computer and relocation expenses.

General and Administrative Expenses--General and administrative expenses of $16,747 decreased $392 from $17,139 in the first quarter 2016. Decreases in travel expense, office rent and office expense were partially offset by increases in salaries expense and professional services.

Depreciation and Amortization Expense--Depreciation and amortization expense of $12,190 increased $849 from $11,341 in the first quarter of 2016. The increase is attributable to capital expenditures necessary to support the business and purchases of businesses.

Gain on the Sale of Assets, Net--Gain on the sale of assets of $975 for the first quarter 2017 increased $945 from the $30 gain in the first quarter 2016 due to higher average sales prices on more units sold as compared to the first quarter 2016.

Interest Expense--Interest expense of $1,257 increased $292 from the $965 incurred in the first quarter 2016. The increase is attributable to higher interest rates, higher-average debt levels necessary to fund operations, and capital expenditures during the first quarter of 2017, as compared with the first quarter of 2016.

Other, Net--Other, net, of $792 increased $193 from the $599 incurred in the first quarter 2016 and consisted of nonoperating income and expense, including foreign currency gains/losses on the intercompany account balances of our Canadian operations.

Income Tax Benefits--Income tax benefits for the first quarter 2017 were $2,434, as compared to $2,428 for the first quarter 2016. Our tax provision for interim periods is determined using an estimate of our annual effective tax rate adjusted for discrete items, if any, that are taken into account in the relevant period. The effective tax rate for the three months ended April 1, 2017 is estimated to approximate 38.5%. Our annual effective tax rate for the three months ended April 2, 2016 was estimated at 39.7%.

Net Loss--Net loss of $3,887 for the first quarter 2017 was $301 less than the $4,188 experienced in the first quarter 2016.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our principal financial requirements are for capital spending, working capital and business acquisitions.

Cash Flow Summary

Our cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities for the three months ended April 1, 2017 and April 2, 2016 follow:



	Three Months Ended
	2017			2016
Cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities	$	(4,157	)	$	(4,909	)
Investing activities	(28,772		)	(26,011		)
Financing activities	32,565			26,999
Decrease in cash	$	(364	)	$	(3,921	)

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Cash Provided By Operating Activities--Cash used in operating activities was $4,157 for the first three months of 2017, or $752 less than the $4,909 used in the first three months of 2016. The $752 increase in operating cash flow was primarily attributable to an increase of $849 in depreciation and amortization, $7,465 more cash provided by accounts receivable, a $301 decrease in net loss, and a $8,248 increase in cash used for operating assets and liabilities, excluding accounts receivable.

Overall, accounts receivable decreased $1,771 during the first three months of 2017, as compared to the increase of $5,694 during the first three months of 2016. With respect to the change in accounts receivable arising from business levels, the “days-sales-outstanding” in accounts receivable (sometimes referred to as “DSO”) at the end of the first three months of 2017 increased five days to 68 days, as compared to the end of the first three months of 2016. The DSO at April 2, 2016 was 63 days.

Operating liabilities decreased $8,695 in the first three months of 2017, or $6,018 more than the $2,677 decrease in the first three months of 2016. Accounts payable and accrued expenses decreased $12,547 during the first three months of 2017 as compared with a decrease of $6,333 for the first three months of 2016. Decreases in advance payments from customers, trade payables and employee compensation accruals were partially offset by increases in group insurance accruals and non-income taxes payable. Self-insurance accruals increased $3,852 in the first three months of 2017, which was $196 more than the increase of $3,656 experienced in the first three months of 2016. The increase occurred within our general liability and vehicle liability classifications and resulted primarily from an overall increase in deductible amounts under commercial insurance and the self-insured risk retention.

The change in operating assets and liabilities other, net, decreased $5,078 for the first three months of 2017 as compared with a decrease of $2,407 for the first three months of 2016, with the $2,671 net change related primarily to increases in tax deposits and pension and post-retirement benefits.

Cash Used In Investing Activities--Cash used in investing activities for the first three months of 2017 was $28,772, or $2,761 more than the $26,011 used during the first three months of 2016. An increase in the purchase of businesses was partially offset by reductions in capital expenditures for equipment, land and buildings and an increase in proceeds from sale of assets.

Cash Provided By Financing Activities--Cash provided by financing activities of $32,565 increased $5,566 during the first three months of 2017 as compared with $26,999 of cash provided during the first three months of 2016. During the first three months of 2017, our revolving credit facility provided $33,000 in cash as compared with $27,000 provided during the first three months of 2016. We use the credit facility primarily for capital expenditures and payments of notes payable related to acquisitions. Payments of notes payable used $3,123 during the first three months of 2017, a change of $954 when compared to the $2,169 used in the first three months of 2016. Treasury share transactions (purchases and sales) provided $3,338 for the first three months of 2017, $506 more than the $2,832 provided in the first three months of 2016, and included $138 of cash received from our common share subscriptions. Dividends paid of $650 during the first three months of 2017 decreased $14 as compared with $664 paid in the first three months of 2016.

Revolving Credit Facility--We have a $175,000 revolving credit facility with a group of banks, which will expire in November 2018 and 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. 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.

As of April 1, 2017, we had unused commitments under the facility approximating $70,929, with $104,071 committed, consisting of borrowings of $100,000 and issued letters of credit of $4,071.

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leverage ratio at the time of borrowing. The base rate is the greater of (i) the agent bank’s prime rate, (ii) LIBOR plus 1.50%, or (iii) the federal funds rate plus .50%. A commitment fee ranging from .10% to .25% is also required based on the average daily unborrowed commitment.

As of April 1, 2017, we had issued letters of credit of $58,150 under the terms of the AR securitization program.

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Contractual Obligations Summary and Commercial Commitments

The following summarizes our long-term contractual obligations, as of April 1, 2017, to make future payments for the periods indicated:



			Nine Months Ending December 31, 2017
					Year Ending December 31,
Description	Total				2018		2019		2020		2021		Thereafter
Revolving credit facility	$	100,000	$	—	$	100,000	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Senior unsecured notes	24,000		6,000		6,000		6,000		6,000		—		—
Term loans	15,812		8,616		1,891		886		4,419		—		—
Capital lease obligations	2,658		686		694		668		584		26		—
Operating lease obligations	17,544		4,776		4,559		3,380		2,398		1,165		1,266
Self-insurance accruals	66,780		17,499		14,825		9,639		5,399		2,792		16,626
Purchase obligations	13,852		13,852		—		—		—		—		—
Other liabilities	20,070		1,406		1,790		1,817		1,959		1,928		11,170
	$	260,716	$	52,835	$	129,759	$	22,390	$	20,759	$	5,911	$	29,062

The self-insurance accruals in the summary above reflect the total of the undiscounted amount accrued, for which amounts estimated to be due each year may differ from actual payments required to fund claims. Purchase obligations in the summary above represent open purchase-order amounts that we anticipate will become payable for goods and services that we have negotiated for delivery as of April 1, 2017. Other liabilities include estimates of future expected funding requirements related to retirement plans and other sundry items. Because their future cash outflows are uncertain, accrued income tax liabilities for uncertain tax positions, as of April 1, 2017, have not been included in the summary above. Noncurrent deferred taxes and payments related to defined benefit pension plans are also not included in the summary.

As of April 1, 2017, total commitments related to issued letters of credit were $64,221, of which $4,071 were issued under the revolving credit facility, $58,150 were issued under the AR securitization program, and $2,000 were issued under short-term lines of credit. As of December 31, 2016, total commitments related to issued letters of credit were $64,225, of which $4,071 were issued under the Revolving Credit Facility, $58,150 were issued under the AR securitization facility, and $2,004 were issued under short-term lines of credit.

Also, as is common in our industry, we have performance obligations that are supported by surety bonds, which expire during 2017 through 2023. We intend to renew the surety bonds where appropriate and as necessary.

Capital Resources

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

Business seasonality traditionally results in higher revenues during the second and third quarters as compared with the first and fourth quarters of the year, while our methods of accounting for fixed costs, such as depreciation and amortization expense, rent and interest expense, are not significantly impacted by business seasonality. Capital resources during these periods are equally affected. We satisfy seasonal working capital needs and other financing requirements with the revolving credit facility and other short-term lines of credit. We are continually reviewing our existing sources of financing and evaluating alternatives. At April 1, 2017, we had working capital of $76,132, and short-term lines of credit approximating $7,125 and $70,929 available under our revolving credit facility.

We believe our sources of capital, at this time, provide us with the financial flexibility to meet our capital-spending plans and to continue to complete business acquisitions for at least the next twelve months and for the reasonably foreseeable future.

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Recent Accounting Guidance

Accounting Standards Adopted in 2017

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

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Subsequent to the issuance of ASU 2014-09, the FASB has provided additional implementation guidance updates related to ASU 2014-09, including:


a.	ASU 2015-14, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date (‘Update 2015-14’),” which responded to stakeholders’ requests to defer the effective date of the guidance in ASU 2014-09.


b.	ASU 2016-08, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net ) (‘Update 2016-08’),” which clarifies the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations.


c.	ASU 2016-10, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing (‘Update 2016-10’),” which clarifies multiple aspects of Topic 606.


d.	ASU 2016-12, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients (‘Update 2016-12’),” which provides clarifying guidance in a few narrow areas and adds some practical expedients to the guidance.

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effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, which for Davey Tree would be January 1, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. The new standard requires a modified retrospective transition for capital or operating leases existing at or entered into after the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, but it does not require transition accounting for leases that expire prior to the date of initial application. We are currently evaluating the impact of the new standard on our consolidated financial statements.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

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

As discussed in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, we believe that our policies related to revenue recognition, the allowance for doubtful accounts and self-insurance accruals are our “critical accounting policies and estimates”--those most important to the financial presentations and those that require the most difficult, subjective or complex judgments.

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

NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

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


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


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


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


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


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

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


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

•

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


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


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


•	We are subject to intense competition.


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


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


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


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


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


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


•	A disruption in our information technology systems, including a disruption related to cybersecurity, could adversely affect our financial performance.


•	We are subject to third-party and governmental regulatory claims and litigation that may have an adverse effect on us.


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

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

The factors described above, as well as other factors that may adversely impact our actual results, are discussed in "Part II - Item 1A. Risk Factors." of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q and in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 in “Part I - Item 1A. Risk Factors.”


Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

During the quarter ended April 1, 2017, there have been no material changes in the market risk previously presented in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

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Item 4.	Controls and Procedures.

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

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

(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended April 1, 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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The Davey Tree Expert Company


Part II.	Other Information

Items 1, 3, 4 and 5 are not applicable.


Item 1A.	Risk Factors.

The factors described below represent the principal risks we face. Except as otherwise indicated, these factors may or may not occur and we are not in a position to express a view on the likelihood of any such factor occurring. Other factors may exist that we do not consider to be significant based on information that is currently available or that we are not currently able to anticipate.

Our business is highly seasonal and weather dependent.

Our business, other than tree services to utility customers, is highly seasonal and weather dependent, primarily due to fluctuations in horticultural services provided to Residential and Commercial customers. We have historically incurred losses in the first quarter, while revenue and operating income are generally highest in the second and third quarters of the calendar year. Inclement weather, such as uncharacteristically low or high (drought) temperatures, in the second and third quarters could dampen the demand for our horticultural services, resulting in reduced revenues that would have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

Economic conditions may adversely impact our customers’ future spending as well as pricing and payment for our services, thus negatively impacting our operations and growth.

Various economic factors may adversely impact the demand for our services and potentially result in depressed prices for our services and the delay or cancellation of projects. That may make it difficult to estimate our customers' requirements for our services and, therefore, add uncertainty to customer demand. Various economic factors and customers' confidence in future economic conditions may cause a reduction in our customers' spending for our services and may also impact the ability of our customers to pay amounts owed, which could reduce our cash flow and adversely impact our debt or equity financing. These events could have a material adverse effect on our operations and our ability to grow at historical levels.

Financial difficulties or the bankruptcy of one or more of our major customers could adversely affect our results.

Our ability to collect our accounts receivable and future sales depends, in part, on the financial strength of our customers. We grant credit, generally without collateral, to our customers. Consequently, we are subject to credit risk related to changes in business and economic factors throughout the United States and Canada. In the event customers experience financial difficulty, and particularly if bankruptcy results, our profitability may be adversely impacted by our failure to collect our accounts receivable in excess of our estimated allowance for uncollectible accounts. Additionally, our future revenues could be reduced by the loss of a customer due to bankruptcy. Our failure to collect accounts receivable and/or the loss of one or more major customers could have an adverse effect on our net income and financial condition.

Our business is dependent upon service to our utility customers and we may be affected by developments in the utility industry.

We derive approximately 51% of our total annual revenues from our Utility segment, including approximately 12% of our total annual revenues from Pacific Gas & Electric Company. Significant adverse developments in the utility industry generally, or specifically for our major utility customers, could result in pressure to reduce costs by utility industry service providers (such as us), delays in payments of our accounts receivable, or increases in uncollectible accounts receivable, among other things. As a result, such developments could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

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Our quarterly results may fluctuate.

We have experienced and expect to continue to experience quarterly variations in revenues and operating income as a result of many factors, including:


▪	the seasonality of our business;


▪	the timing and volume of customers' projects;


▪	budgetary spending patterns of customers;


▪	the commencement or termination of service agreements;


▪	costs incurred to support growth internally or through acquisitions;


▪	changes in our mix of customers, contracts and business activities;


▪	fluctuations in insurance expense due to changes in claims experience and actuarial assumptions; and


▪	general and local economic conditions.

Accordingly, our operating results in any particular quarter may not be indicative of the results that you can expect for any other quarter or for the entire year.

We may not have access to capital in the future due to uncertainties in the financial and credit markets.

We may need new or additional financing in the future to conduct our operations, expand our business or refinance existing indebtedness. Future changes in the general economic conditions and/or financial markets in the United States or globally could affect adversely our ability to raise capital on favorable terms or at all. From time-to-time we have relied, and may also rely in the future, on access to financial markets as a source of liquidity for working capital requirements, acquisitions and general corporate purposes. Our access to funds under our revolving credit facility is dependent on the ability of the financial institutions that are parties to the facility to meet their funding commitments. Those financial institutions may not be able to meet their funding commitments if they experience shortages of capital and liquidity or if they experience excessive volumes of borrowing requests within a short period of time. Economic disruptions and any resulting limitations on future funding, including any restrictions on access to funds under our revolving credit facility, could have a material adverse effect on us.

We are subject to the risk of changes in fuel costs.

The cost of fuel is a major operating expense of our business. Significant increases in fuel prices for extended periods of time will cause our operating expenses to fluctuate. An increase in cost with partial or no corresponding compensation from customers would lead to lower margins that would have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

We are subject to the effect of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, which may have a material adverse impact on us.

We are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk resulting from our operations in Canada, where we provide a comprehensive range of horticultural services. Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates may make our services more expensive for others to purchase or increase our operating costs, affecting our competitiveness and our profitability. 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.

Revenues from customers in Canada are subject to foreign currency exchange. Thus, certain revenues and expenses have been, and are expected to be, subject to the effect of foreign currency fluctuations, and these fluctuations may have a material adverse impact on our operating results, asset values and could reduce shareholders’ equity. In addition, if we expand our Canadian operations, exposures to gains and losses on foreign currency transactions may increase.

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We could be negatively impacted if our self-insurance accruals or our insurance coverages prove to be inadequate.

We are generally self-insured for losses and liabilities related to workers' compensation, vehicle liability and general liability claims (including any wildfire-related claims, up to certain retained coverage limits). A liability for unpaid claims and associated expenses, including incurred but not reported losses, is actuarially determined and reflected in our consolidated balance sheet as an accrued liability. The determination of such claims and expenses, and the extent of the need for accrued liabilities, are continually reviewed and updated. If we were to experience insurance claims or costs above our estimates and were unable to offset such increases with earnings, our business could be adversely affected. Also, where we self-insure, a deterioration in claims management, whether by our management or by a third-party claims administrator, could lead to delays in settling claims, thereby increasing claim costs, particularly as it relates to workers’ compensation. In addition, catastrophic uninsured claims filed against us or the inability of our insurance carriers to pay otherwise-insured claims would have an adverse effect on our financial condition.

Furthermore, many customers, particularly utilities, prefer to do business with contractors with significant financial resources, who can provide substantial insurance coverage. Should we be unable to renew our excess liability insurance and other commercial insurance policies at competitive rates, this loss would have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Increases in our health insurance costs and uncertainty about federal health care policies could adversely affect our results of operations and cash flows.

The costs of employee health care insurance have been increasing in recent years due to rising health care costs, legislative changes, and general economic conditions. We cannot predict what other health care programs and regulations will ultimately be implemented at the federal or state level or the effect of any future legislation or regulations on our business, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, we cannot predict when and if congress will repeal and/or replace certain health care programs and regulations at the federal level and the impact that such changes would have on our business. A continued increase in health care costs or additional costs incurred as a result of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 or other future health care reform laws imposed by Congress or state legislatures could have a negative impact on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

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

Any of our existing excess insurance coverage may not be renewed upon the expiration of the coverage period or future coverage may not be available at competitive rates for the required limits. In addition, our third-party insurers could fail, suddenly cancel our coverage or otherwise be unable to provide us with adequate insurance coverage. If any of these events occur, they may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations as well as disrupt our operations. For example, we have operations in California, which has an environment prone to wildfires. Should our third-party insurers determine to exclude coverage for wildfires in the future, we could be exposed to significant liabilities, having a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations and potentially disrupting our California operations.

Because no public market exists for our common shares, your ability to sell your common shares may be limited.

Our common shares are not traded on any national exchange, market system or over-the-counter bulletin board. Because no public market exists for our common shares, your ability to sell these shares is limited.

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We are subject to intense competition.

We believe that each aspect of our business is highly competitive. Principal methods of competition in our operating segments are customer service, marketing, image, performance and reputation. Pricing is not always a critical factor in a customer’s decision with respect to our Residential and Commercial segment; however, pricing is generally the principal method of competition for our Utility segment, although in most instances consideration is given to reputation and past production performance. On a national level, our competition is primarily landscape construction and maintenance companies as well as residential and commercial lawn care companies. At a local and regional level, our competition comes mainly from small, local companies which are engaged primarily in tree care and lawn services. Our Utility segment competes principally with one major national competitor, as well as several smaller regional firms. Furthermore, competitors may have lower costs because privately-owned companies operating in a limited geographic area may have significantly lower labor and overhead costs. Our competitors may develop the expertise, experience and resources to provide services that are superior in both price and quality to our services. These strong competitive pressures could inhibit our success in bidding for profitable business and may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our failure to comply with environmental laws could result in significant liabilities.

Our facilities and operations are subject to governmental regulations designed to protect the environment, particularly with respect to our services regarding insect and tree, shrub and lawn disease management, because these services involve to a considerable degree the blending and application of spray materials, which require formal licensing in most areas. Continual changes in environmental laws, regulations and licensing requirements, environmental conditions, environmental awareness, technology and social attitudes make it necessary for us to maintain a high degree of awareness of the impact such changes have on our compliance programs and the market for our services. We are subject to existing federal, state and local laws, regulations and licensing requirements regulating the use of materials in our spraying operations as well as certain other aspects of our business. If we fail to comply with such laws, regulations or licensing requirements, we may become subject to significant liabilities, fines and/or penalties, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

We cannot predict the impact that the policies regarding changing climate conditions, including legal, regulatory and social responses thereto, may have on our business.

Many scientists, environmentalists, international organizations, political activists, regulators and other commentators believe that global climate change has added, and will continue to add, to the unpredictability, frequency and severity of natural disasters in certain parts of the world. In response, a number of legal and regulatory measures and social initiatives have been introduced in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas and other carbon emissions that these parties believe may be contributors to global climate change. These proposals, if enacted, could result in a variety of regulatory programs, including potential new regulations, additional charges and taxes to fund energy efficiency activities, or other regulatory actions. Any of these actions could result in increased costs associated with our operations and impact the prices we charge our customers.

We cannot predict the impact, if any, that changing climate conditions will have on us or our customers. However, it is possible that the legal, regulatory and social responses to real or imagined climate change could have a negative effect on our results of operations or our financial condition.

We may be adversely affected if we are unable to obtain necessary surety bonds or letters of credit.

Surety market conditions are currently difficult as a result of significant losses incurred by many sureties in recent years, both in the construction industry as well as in certain larger corporate bankruptcies. As a result, less bonding capacity is available in the market and terms have become more expensive and restrictive. Further, under standard terms in the surety market, sureties issue or continue bonds on a project-by-project basis and can decline to issue bonds at any time or require the posting of collateral as a condition to issuing or renewing any bonds. If surety providers were to limit or eliminate our access to bonding, we would need to post other forms of collateral

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for project performance, such as letters of credit or cash. We may be unable to secure sufficient letters of credit on acceptable terms, or at all. Accordingly, if we were to experience an interruption or reduction in the availability of bonding capacity, our liquidity may be adversely affected.

We may be adversely affected if our reputation is damaged.

We are dependent, in part, upon our reputation of quality, integrity and performance. If our reputation were damaged in some way, it may impact our ability to grow or maintain our business.

We may be unable to employ a sufficient workforce for our field operations.

Our industry operates in an environment that requires heavy manual labor. We may experience slower growth in the labor force for this type of work than in the past. As a result, we may experience labor shortages or the need to pay more to attract and retain qualified employees.

We may be unable to attract and retain skilled management.

Our success depends, in part, on our ability to attract and retain key managers. Competition for the best people can be intense and we may not be able to promote, hire or retain skilled managers. The loss of services of one or more of our key managers could have a material adverse impact on our business because of the loss of the manager's skills, knowledge of our industry and years of industry experience, and the difficulty of promptly finding qualified replacement personnel.

Natural disasters, pandemics, terrorist attacks and other external events could adversely affect our business.

Natural disasters, pandemics, terrorist attacks and other adverse external events could materially damage our facilities or disrupt our operations, or damage the facilities or disrupt the operations of our customers or vendors. The occurrence of any such event could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

A disruption in our information technology systems, including a disruption related to cybersecurity, could adversely affect our financial performance.

We rely on the accuracy, capacity and security of our information technology systems. Despite the security measures that we have implemented, including those measures related to cybersecurity, our systems could be breached or damaged by computer viruses, natural or man-made incidents or disasters or unauthorized physical or electronic access. A breach could result in business disruption, theft of our intellectual property, trade secrets or customer information and unauthorized access to personnel information. To the extent that our business is interrupted or data is lost, destroyed or inappropriately used or disclosed, such disruptions could adversely affect our competitive position, reputation, relationships with our customers, financial condition, operating results and cash flows. In addition, we may be required to incur significant costs to protect against the damage caused by these disruptions or security breaches in the future.

We are subject to third-party and governmental regulatory claims and litigation.

From time-to-time, customers, vendors, employees, governmental regulatory authorities and others may make claims and take legal action against us. Whether these claims and legal actions are founded or unfounded, if such claims and legal actions are not resolved in our favor, they may result in significant financial liability. Any such financial liability could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Any such claims and legal actions may also require significant management attention and may detract from management's focus on our operations.

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We may be adversely affected if we enter into a major unprofitable contract.

Our Residential and Commercial segment and our Utility segment frequently operate in a competitive bid contract environment. As a result, we may misjudge a bid and be contractually bound to an unprofitable contract, which could adversely affect our results of operations.


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

The following table provides information on purchases of our common shares outstanding made by us during the first three months of 2017.



Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased	Average Price Paid per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs	Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
Fiscal 2017
January 1 to January 28	305	$	33.90	n/a	n/a
January 29 to February 25	274	33.90		n/a	n/a
February 26 to April 1	58,939	35.20		n/a	n/a
Total First Quarter	59,518	35.19

Total Year-to-Date	59,518	$	35.19

n/a--Not applicable. There are no publicly announced plans or programs to purchase common shares.

Our common shares are not listed or traded on an established public trading market and market prices are, therefore, not available. Semiannually, for purposes of the Davey 401KSOP and ESOP, the fair market value of our common shares is determined by an independent stock valuation firm, based upon our performance and financial condition, using a peer group of comparable companies selected by that firm. The peer group currently consists of: ABM Industries Incorporated; Comfort Systems USA, Inc.; Dycom Industries, Inc.; MYR Group, Inc.; Quanta Services, Inc.; Rollins, Inc.; and Scotts Miracle-Gro Company. The semiannual valuations are effective for a period of six months and the per-share price established by those valuations is the price at which our Board of Directors has determined our common shares will be bought and sold during that six-month period in transactions involving Davey Tree or one of its employee benefit or stock purchase plans. Since 1979, we have provided a ready market for all shareholders through our direct purchase of their common shares, although we are under no obligation to do so. The purchases described above were added to our treasury stock.


Item 6.	Exhibits.

See Exhibit Index page below.

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Signatures

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



			THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY

		By:	/s/ Joseph R. Paul
Date:	May 3, 2017		Joseph R. Paul
			Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
			(Principal Financial Officer)

Date:	May 3, 2017	By:	/s/ Thea R. Sears
			Thea R. Sears
			Controller
			(Principal Accounting Officer)

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Exhibit Index



Exhibit No.	Description

10.1 *	Second Amendment to The Davey Tree Expert Company 401KSOP Match Restoration Plan, dated March 3, 2017 (effective as of January 1, 2017) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 9, 2017).

31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.	Filed Herewith

31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.	Filed Herewith

32.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.	Furnished Herewith

32.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.	Furnished Herewith

101	The following materials from the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 1, 2017, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited), (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited), (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (unaudited), (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited), and (v) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).	Filed Herewith

* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement

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Positive
Negative
Uncertain
Constraining
Legalese
Litigous
Readability	H.S. sophomore Avg

(Check one):

¨ Large Accelerated Filer

x Accelerated Filer

¨ Emerging Growth Company

¨ Non-Accelerated Filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

¨ Smaller Reporting Company

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