Our founder John Davey believed that tree care is a science – and 140+ years later, we remain true to that philosophy, using science and knowledge to master our craft.
We cultivate an environment where expertise is valued, learning is constant, and professional growth is encouraged. For our employees, that means gaining professional certifications and experiences that lead to fulfilling careers. For our clients, it means teams of engaged tree care experts who consistently exceed expectations.
The Davey Institute, our research and training division, excels in supporting our operations throughout North America. The Davey Institute experts provide advanced diagnostics and management recommendations to provide quality health care for our clients’ trees. Our approach to education and training ensures that Davey arborists and technicians are experts in the field of arboriculture and plant health care.
In summer 2025, the Davey Institute will move to our new SEED (Science, Employee Education, and Development) Campus in Kent, Ohio, near our corporate headquarters.
At Davey, training is part of the job. We have a long tradition of both classroom and on-the-job training. Our programs are constantly evolving to accommodate new challenges and support a culture of learning that ensures our employees are highly skilled and able to diagnose and treat every property owner’s needs.
The Davey Institute hosts multi-day flagship training programs for employees on tree sciences, grounds management, horticultural sciences, tree conservation, biological surveys, utility vegetation management, and more.
The Davey Institute of Tree Sciences (D.I.T.S.) is Davey’s original training program, covering biological sciences, safety, tree and plant care, and management techniques. Around 5,000 employees, chosen based on their leadership performance, have attended since 1909.
Approximately 1,500 Davey employees attend Davey Institute trainings annually. Some are offered at our corporate headquarters, while others are held regionally. Training sessions vary in length, from a couple of days to one month.
Davey employs arborist skills trainers who conduct classes regionally on climbing basics for field employees across North America. The program develops employees' skillsets as individuals, while also helping the company offer the highest level of expertise to clients.
Across service lines and skillsets, Davey employees have access to training — whether through the 650 online courses in our Learning Management System (LMS) or through in-person workshops focused on transferable professional skills.
