Dillon Tree Services of Shrewsbury were at work this week removing a large number of trees along Edgartown-West Tisbury Road that the state Department of Transportation said were a safety hazard for drivers.

Orange dots marked the trees that had to go. — Mark Lovewell

Dozens of trees had been tagged with orange dots for removal, all on the south side of the road. By Wednesday only about 10 remained, with work apparently delayed by the rain.

“MassDOT will be removing approximately 37 trees which are unhealthy or which are now growing too close to the roadway for driver safety,” communications director Jacquelyn Goddard said in an email on Monday. “No other tree removals are planned on Martha’s Vineyard by MassDOT for the near future.”

Edgartown tree warden Stuart Fuller said the town had received prior notification from the state, but that no public process was required. “They’ve got their regulations that they try to adhere to,” he said. “Hopefully they would be sensitive to the Island’s desire for the rural character to be maintained.” He added that many oak trees in Edgartown have been removed after suffering damage from gall wasps.

Dillon Tree Services of Shrewsbury did the work. — Mark Lovewell

All the trees will be removed and the stumps cut flush with the ground. The trees themselves become the property of the contractor.

“The contract calls for restoring safe and adequate sight distance, as well as removing any dead and/or diseased trees that may present a falling hazard into the roadway,” Ms. Goddard said. “We will review with staff and contractor to insure that there is no overcutting or unnecessary tree removal/trimming in this area.”

She hoped the work would be finished this week.

Mr. Fuller said between 30 and 35 miles of road on the Island are owned and maintained by the state. The DOT does regular cleanup work in the fall, followed by the removal of dead or diseased trees in the spring.