R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-5-9: Removal of obstructions by surveyors.

Surveyors of highways may cut down, lop off, dig up, and remove all sorts of trees, bushes, stones, fences, rails, gates, bars, enclosures, or other matter or thing that shall in any manner straighten, obstruct, or incommode any highway; provided, that nothing herein contained shall be so construed as to authorize any surveyor, except under the direction of the town council, to cut down or destroy, or other than in a reasonable and proper manner, to lop off or trim up any shade or ornamental tree so planted or maintained by any adjacent owner or occupant upon or near the side of any highways as not to incommode the traveled path.