A very fun story. I am glad to hear that this little tree has been good for you.

Here in our part of Canada, this is definitely considered to be a "weed" tree. In fact, a running joke with some landscapers is a play on its latin name. Acer negundo" turns into Acer no-goodo".

It tends to grow in any small crack or crevice around buildings, making its way down through the basement and into the drains. It also pops up all over the place in gardens, roads and other spaces.

It is known as a fast growing, weak limbed tree and is often the first one to suffer storm damage.

But happily in your garden it works, and that is all that matters.