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                                                                       EXHIBIT 5





                                  May 16, 1995



The Davey Tree Expert Company
1500 North Mantua Street
Kent, Ohio 44240

Gentlemen:

                          As counsel for The Davey Tree Expert Company, an Ohio
corporation (the "Company"), we are familiar with the Registration Statement on
Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") to be filed by the Company with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, with respect to a maximum of 1 million Common Shares with
a par value of $1 each (the "Shares") to be issued under The Davey Tree Expert
Company 1994 Omnibus Stock Plan (the "Plan").

                          In connection with the foregoing, we have examined
the following:

                          1.  The Articles of Incorporation and Regulations of
         the Company, each as currently in effect;

                          2.  The records relating to the organization of the
         Company and such other records of corporate proceedings and such other
         documents as we deemed it necessary to examine as a basis for the
         opinions hereinafter expressed;

                          3.  The Registration Statement (including Exhibits
         thereto); and

                          4.  Copies of the Plan, and the records of the
         proceedings of the Board of Directors and shareholders of the Company
         relating to the adoption and approval thereof.

                          Based upon that examination, we are of the opinion
that:

                          A.  The Company is a corporation duly organized and
         validly existing under the laws of the State of Ohio.

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                          B.  The Shares have been duly authorized and, when
         issued and delivered pursuant to the Plan and in the manner
         contemplated by the Registration Statement, will be validly issued,
         fully paid, and non-assessable.

                          We hereby consent to the filing of this Opinion as
Exhibit 5(a) to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name therein.

                                              Very truly yours,


                                                /s/  Thompson Hine and Flory   
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