FROM THE ARCHIVES
The Davey Tree Expert Company
P.O. Box 5193
Kent, Ohio 44240-5193
In a bid to bring electricity to the city of Kent, Ohio, Paul
H. Davey, Sr., brokered a deal with Northern Ohio Power
and Light. The electric utility had wanted to clear trees
to make way for new electric poles and lines. Paul Davey
convinced utility officials that Davey Tree could use its
scientific tree care methods to prune trees and make space
for the new poles and lines, so Kent residents could keep
their beloved trees and still gain access to electricity.
Even Paul Davey's brother, Martin L. Davey, Sr., like their
father had opposed the idea. Ultimately, Paul succeeded.
The utility company brought power to Kent residents,
who kept their trees in the process. And Utility services
would grow to become essential to Davey Tree's success.
For 100 years, Davey has helped ensure the delivery
of safe, reliable electric power to brighten and warm
homes across North America.
In 1921, Davey entered the utility market when it
signed a line clearance contract with Northern Ohio
Power & Light. Prior to 1921, Davey primarily served
residential clients.
At first, John Davey, the founder of Davey Tree, opposed
the idea of entering the utility line clearance market.
John believed tree companies that merely topped trees
to make space for power lines were "tree butchers,"
and he did not want Davey Tree even remotely affiliated
with such methods.
A CENTURY OF UTILITY SERVICES
A Davey climber works near power lines
in the early 1900s. Davey's first utility client
was a predecessor of FirstEnergy Corp
®
.
