There is a tree in your hedge

Two examples of trees growing in hedges. I don't get it.. Top one has a mish-mash of maple and elm. Not sure about the bottom one, but it's pretty clearly not supposed to be there.

Mulberry in a tree

I imagine that a bird ate a mulberry, landed on this big (non mulberry) tree, and pooped into the scar from a large branch being cut. A couple years later, we have this mulberry growing in the tree. Sort of cool, sort of horrible.

Tree of Heaven

Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is a crappy piece of crap of a tree.  It is fast growing (often 2+ feet per year) and short lived.  It is sometimes called "stink tree" or "stinking sumac" because is stinks. It also sucks. Break off and crush a leaf - smells like evil burnt nuts. Cutting does not kill it -- it will resprout with vengeance.  Can be pulled from roots when young, and otherwise needs to be dug up or sprayed.  Sometimes grows in little tight spaces, like between garages or in alleys.

Weed trees

Here are some years-old weed trees growing in a raised bed strawberry patch at a preschool. Sigh. The largest are approaching 5 feet tall.

I've phoned them a few times and have told a dozen people about it, but I guess they'll just wait until they break the planter or fall over on the building.

Maple

I'm not sure what kind of maple tree this is, but I don't want it growing among my flowers.

Siberian Elm

Siberian Elm. Ulmus pumila.  Asian-origin invasive. Wretched.  Fast growing. Wind-dispersed seeds.  Often accidentally grown to maturity, though the wood is weak and the tree is short-lived in Chicago.

The bottom picture shows a 1-inch tall plant I pulled, with a 6+ inch root that was growing under a wall.

Look for it in neglected spaces and everywhere.