Does Davey Tree do background checks?

Yes. Davey conducts background checks in conformity with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act. Roles that involve driving a company vehicle also require a clean motor vehicle record.

Does Davey Tree drug test?

Yes. Pre-employment drug screening is standard for Davey's safety-sensitive tree care work, and it can include marijuana. Random or scheduled testing may also apply during employment.

Is Davey Tree employee-owned?

Yes. Davey has been employee-owned through an ESOP since 1979 and is one of the largest employee-owned companies in the United States. Long-tenured employees can become company shareholders.

What entry-level jobs does Davey Tree hire for?

The most accessible entry point is groundworker/groundperson. Other roles include tree trimmer/climber, landscaper, grounds maintenance, crew leader, and arborist.

Does Davey Tree Hire Felons?

Last updated: 2026-07-12

Sometimes

Davey Tree runs background checks but hires people with records for ground and climbing crews; multiple employees report being hired with felonies. Roles that require driving a company vehicle demand a clean motor vehicle record.

Davey Tree does hire some people with felony records, especially for entry-level groundworker and climbing crew positions. Founded in 1880 and employee-owned since 1979, The Davey Tree Expert Company is one of the largest tree care and environmental services firms in North America, with nearly 10,500 employees and roughly a billion dollars in revenue. As an ESOP, long-tenured employees become owners, but the work is physical and turnover on ground crews is high, so branches hire steadily. Davey conducts background checks in line with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, and pre-employment drug screening — which can include marijuana — is standard for safety-sensitive tree care work. Multiple current and former employees report being hired with felony convictions on their records. The main limitation is driving: positions that require operating a company vehicle demand a clean motor vehicle record, so a DUI or driving-related felony is a bigger obstacle than many other convictions.

Hiring by Position

Position	Felon Friendly?	Background Check	Notes
Groundworker / Groundperson	Yes	Yes — criminal check plus drug screen	Ground support: feeding chippers, hauling brush, running equipment. Most accessible entry point.
Tree Trimmer / Climber	Case-by-case	Yes — criminal check plus drug screen	Climbing and pruning. Paid on-the-job training; a strong career path with advancement.
Crew Leader / Foreman (CDL)	Case-by-case	Yes — criminal, MVR, plus drug screen	Leading a crew and driving company vehicles. Requires a clean driving record; often CDL.
Landscaper / Grounds Maintenance	Yes	Yes — standard criminal check	Landscape and grounds work through Davey's commercial services division.
Arborist / Sales Arborist	Case-by-case	Yes — comprehensive check plus MVR	Diagnosing tree health and selling services; customer-facing and involves driving.

Davey Tree Hiring Practices

The Davey Tree Expert Company is one of the oldest and largest tree care firms in North America, founded in 1880 and employee-owned since 1979. It employs nearly 10,500 people across residential, commercial, utility line-clearance, and environmental consulting divisions. Davey conducts background checks in conformity with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act and equal-opportunity and anti-discrimination laws, and pre-employment drug screening — which can include marijuana — is standard because tree work is safety-sensitive. In practice, ground crews turn over frequently and hire steadily, and multiple current and former employees report being hired with felony convictions. The biggest limitation is driving-related: any role that requires operating a company vehicle demands a clean motor vehicle record, so DUIs and driving-related felonies are a larger obstacle than many other convictions. Entry-level groundworker positions, which do not require driving, are the most accessible starting point.

Tips for Getting Hired

Apply online at jobs.davey.com. Start with groundworker or groundperson roles — they are the most accessible, require no driving, and lead into paid on-the-job climbing and trimming training. Be ready to pass a pre-employment drug screen that may include marijuana, and know that Davey follows FCRA rules, so you have a right to see and dispute any report used against you. If your record is driving-related, focus on ground positions rather than crew-leader or CDL roles until you rebuild a clean motor vehicle record. Emphasize physical stamina, reliability, and any outdoor, forestry, or equipment experience. Because Davey is employee-owned, staying on can eventually make you a company shareholder.

Application Tips for People with Records

1.Apply online at jobs.davey.com and start with groundworker/groundperson roles.
2.Be ready to pass a pre-employment drug screen that may include marijuana.
3.If your record is driving-related, target ground roles rather than CDL or crew-leader positions.
4.Davey follows FCRA rules — you have a right to see and dispute any background report used against you.
5.Highlight physical stamina, reliability, and any outdoor, forestry, or equipment experience.
6.Groundworker roles offer paid on-the-job training and a path into climbing and trimming.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Davey Tree hire felons?: Yes, Davey Tree hires some people with felony records, especially for groundworker and climbing crew roles. Multiple employees report being hired with felonies. Driving-related convictions are the main obstacle for roles that require a company vehicle.
Does Davey Tree do background checks?: Yes. Davey conducts background checks in conformity with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act. Roles that involve driving a company vehicle also require a clean motor vehicle record.
Does Davey Tree drug test?: Yes. Pre-employment drug screening is standard for Davey's safety-sensitive tree care work, and it can include marijuana. Random or scheduled testing may also apply during employment.
Is Davey Tree employee-owned?: Yes. Davey has been employee-owned through an ESOP since 1979 and is one of the largest employee-owned companies in the United States. Long-tenured employees can become company shareholders.
What entry-level jobs does Davey Tree hire for?: The most accessible entry point is groundworker/groundperson. Other roles include tree trimmer/climber, landscaper, grounds maintenance, crew leader, and arborist.

Take Action — Direct Links

Davey Tree Careers
Search and apply for groundworker, climber, and arborist positions at Davey Tree.
National HIRE Network
Free resources for people with criminal records seeking employment.

Related Resources on This Site

Similar companies

Helpful guides

Background ChecksHow far back do background checks go?
Criminal LawDrug Charges Lawyer
RightsCan a felon get a fishing license?
RecoveryAddiction recovery timeline: what to expect month by month

Disclaimer: This is informational only, not legal advice. Company hiring policies change frequently and may vary by location, franchise, or position. Always confirm the current policy with the hiring manager or HR representative. A background check does not automatically disqualify you — you have rights under the EEOC guidelines and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).