Here is a link to Fairmount Park's list of recommended street trees:

http://www.fairmountpark.org/RecommendedTreeList.asp

Ginkgos are very common, they grow fast and they're resistant to just about every disease or bug.

As for bad trees, I'm not sure what it's called, but it's very common in the city, particularly in the back yards of abandoned, or formerly abandoned houses. They'll grow anywhere a seed lands, sometimes even out of the sides of houses. It's a very large shade tree, huge leaves, and grows incredibly fast. It's essentially a 40ft tall weed. I think most people who complain about the invasiveness of trees, breaking pipes, foundations, etc., they're usually talking about this particular tree.

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The idealistic are no longer concerned with influencing public opinion and creating a free world of responsible and ethical social choices, but rather imposing opinion through legislation, mandating these ethics, and outlawing choice in what the loudest sample finds offensive.

Ban the Bans. It's a slippery slope between Idealism and Fascism.

Most probably Ailanthus, also known as the tree that "Grows in Brooklyn" or Tree of Heaven. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_of_Heaven

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My restlessness is my nemesis.

Yeah, that's one of them. The one I had in my backyard was a different kind of weed tree, but I've seen those growing off roofs and out of walls too. You see them a lot on the side of the interstate.

__________________
The idealistic are no longer concerned with influencing public opinion and creating a free world of responsible and ethical social choices, but rather imposing opinion through legislation, mandating these ethics, and outlawing choice in what the loudest sample finds offensive.

Ban the Bans. It's a slippery slope between Idealism and Fascism.

It may be the same one I have behind my property.
I'm not sure what it is.
It's one of the last "trees" to bloom in spring.

A week or two ago it took a huge seed dump all over my yard.
It's mid-May and it's leaves aren't fully matured yet.
I gotta cut that bitch down.

__________________
My restlessness is my nemesis.

i had some of those at the house I used to own!!! Good luck cutting it down. Those things don't die. You will have to cut out the roots if you really want it gone.

I just found it, it's called Paulownia or Empress Tree. It has huge leaves and it blooms in the spring. The seed pods look like nuts and when they dry out, they crack open and spray seeds all over the place. They're nasty. They don't live very long but they can be fully grown in just a couple years and the root system is huge. They're hard to kill too. You really have to kill them at the root. Even then it's iffy as to whether or not it'll come back. I suggest a small bomb.

__________________
The idealistic are no longer concerned with influencing public opinion and creating a free world of responsible and ethical social choices, but rather imposing opinion through legislation, mandating these ethics, and outlawing choice in what the loudest sample finds offensive.

Ban the Bans. It's a slippery slope between Idealism and Fascism.

nah, that's not the one i have.

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My restlessness is my nemesis.

According to Wikipedia, a taller tree will kill it. I suggest a giant redwood.

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This, this, this, and this are my new favorite things.

These two, not so much.

Yeah, I haven't seen too many trees in the city that grow taller, faster. I suggest gasoline.

__________________
The idealistic are no longer concerned with influencing public opinion and creating a free world of responsible and ethical social choices, but rather imposing opinion through legislation, mandating these ethics, and outlawing choice in what the loudest sample finds offensive.

Ban the Bans. It's a slippery slope between Idealism and Fascism.