R.I. Gen. Laws § 2-14-2: Appointment by town council or city mayor.

Every town council at its regular meeting in January of each year, and the mayor of every city on or before February 1 each year, shall appoint a tree warden who is, or who within six (6) months of his or her assuming office, becomes an arborist, licensed under chapter 19 of this title, to engage in the business or practice of all phases of tree care, including, but without limiting the generality to the planting, pruning, trimming, spraying, or repairing of fruit, shade, forest and ornamental trees and shrubs.