John Davey (tree surgeon)

John Davey (June 6, 1846 – November 8, 1923), considered the father of the science of tree surgery, was born in Stawley, Somerset, England. Although he did not learn the alphabet until his early 20s, his sharp intellect and analytical skills allowed him to become a skilled orator, author, publisher and inventor.

John Davey mastered agriculture under the tutelage of his father, the superintendent of a large farm. He developed a strong work ethic and passion for arboriculture. Davey believed that great lengths should be taken to preserve natural resources, especially those that take more than a lifetime to replace.

He took his convictions to America in hopes of preserving ailing trees and providing quality horticultural services. He subsequently launched a landscape and greenhouse business in Warren, Ohio, and then, in 1880, founded The Davey Tree Expert Company in nearby Kent.

The company, still headquartered in Kent today, is a tribute to John Davey’s ingenuity. His motto, “Do It Right Or Not At All” and his commitment to environmental stewardship are the guiding principles inspiring the company’s approximately 7,000 nationwide employees.

Davey was the father of both Martin L. Davey, governor of Ohio from 1935–1939 and Paul H. Davey, founder of the Davey Compressor company. Davey also had sons Wellington, Ira, and James (Jim) as well as daughters Belle and Mary.

Davey began to share his passion and science with the general public in 1878, when he published Davey’s Floral and Landscape Educator, a monthly newsletter for his customers. His signature work came in 1901, when he self-published The Tree Doctor, a comprehensive arboricultural guide. It is generally acknowledged that this book spawned an industry - tree care - and was truly ahead of its time.

The Tree Doctor discussed Davey’s inventions and laid the groundwork for future patents. Available for $1, it became the comprehensive resource for those interested in tree and landscape preservation, and featured a multitude of descriptive photographs to enhance understanding, a rarity in Davey’s day.

He analogized tree surgery to physician care, effectively changing attitudes and perceptions. For John Davey it was simple. If you needed surgery, you visited the surgeon, not the local butcher. Likewise, trees needing repair should be examined and restored by “tree scientists”, those versed in the latest methods of arboriculture.

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Wikipedia