ยง  153.  Custody  of  shade  trees. The town superintendent shall have
  control of all shade trees in the town highways of  the  town,  but  not
  within  the  limits  of  an  incorporated  village,  and shall prosecute
  complaints for malicious injury to, or unlawful acts  concerning  public
  shade  trees.  Upon  recommendation of the town superintendent, the town
  board of any town may appropriate general town moneys  for  setting  out
  and preserving shade trees along the highways of any class in such town;
  but  no  tree shall be so set out in a state highway without the consent
  in writing of the commissioner of transportation except in a village  of
  the first or second class, nor shall any trees be so set out in a county
  road without the written consent of the county superintendent, except in
  villages of the first and second class. Trees set out in a state highway
  under  the  provisions  of this section shall not be removed without the
  written consent of the commissioner of transportation. Trees set out  in
  a  county road under the provisions of this section shall not be removed
  without the written consent of the county superintendent. Trees set  out
  in  a  state highway within villages of the first and second class which
  tend to make travel or traffic thereon  unsafe  or  hazardous  shall  be
  removed  or  their location changed by the proper village autohrity when
  such removal or change of location is ordered  by  the  commissioner  of
  transportation.
Structure New York Laws
Article 7 - Town Superintendents
140 - General Powers and Duties of Town Superintendent.
141 - Estimate of Expenditures for Highways and Bridges.
142 - Machinery, Tools, Equipment and Implements.
142-C - Removal of Snow and Ice From Streets and Repair of Sidewalks in Villages.
142-D - Rental or Hiring of Town Highway Machinery, Tools or Equipment.
143 - Town Superintendents May Hire Machinery.
145 - Purchase of Gravel Pits.
147 - Entry Upon Lands by Town Superintendent.
148 - Damages to Owners of Lands.
149 - Drainage, Sewer and Water Pipes, Cattle Passes or Other Crossings in Highways.
151 - Expenditures for Sidewalks.
154 - Erection of Guide Boards.
155 - Application for Service of Prisoners.
156 - Penalty, and Notice on Bridge.
157 - Assessment of Cost Against Owners and Occupants.