As a follow-up to the “Sperm Trees of Los Angeles” column, apparently they’re in Toronto, and they’re the ailanthus, or tree of heaven.
(And man, doesn’t that segment about nipple piercing look dated now!)
I don’t have semen trees, but found that certain mushrooms growing in the hedges by my front door emit that same odor. I have taken to digging them out as soon as they sprout or begin to sprout (become visible), which has improved things greatly.