Maple, specifically, Sugar Maple, would actually be a very good candidate to replace Oak trees. Just like Oaks, they’re also hardwood, slow growing, and make up a substantial portion of American forests. Maples seem to have a reputation of all being fast-growing weeds that have soft wood that falls on everything. This is pretty much only true for Silver Maples. Oaks seem to have a reputation of all being slow-growing trees that aren’t worth planting because (i) they will grow too slowly and the original planter won’t live long enough or own the house long enough to see it reach a substantial height, and (ii) they will grow too large to fit in the yard. This is pretty much only true for trees in the White Oak group (White, Bur), but not true for trees in the Black Oak group (Black, Northern Red, Pin, Scarlet). When it comes to rates of growth, Sugar Maple is actually slower than Northern Red Oak. However, I still advocate growing White Oaks, since trees should not always be planted for oneself.
As for resistance, it is my understanding, based on the FAQ of the Sudden Oak Death site, that “leaf blight”, but not death, comes to the species other than Oaks that the fungus infects. So Maples (which are on the list of affected species), and perhaps the Tulip Poplars that you mentioned, would, to my understanding, be carriers for the fungus, but not affected by it greatly.
I share your concern, and I’m sure many other Dopers do as well. We have a Northern Red Oak, our neighbor across the street has a Scarlet Oak, and two other neighbors within three houses of us have Northern Red Oaks. In fact, the name of our town is “Oakwood” for God sakes. I’m also growing Oak saplings for myself and a couple of relatives, to be used as shade trees for our houses, and am wondering whether to cut and run on those, and maybe switch to Maples or something.
What about Ginkgo trees? I live in Ohio, and they originated in Asia. They are 150 million years old (as evidenced by fossil record) and were once thought to be extinct, until a few hundred years ago, when explorers found Asians growing them in a monestary. Since then, they have been brought to America and are a popular street tree. They adapt well to city conditions and have no known insects, pests, or parasites that disease them. In fact, I’d advocate planting them, just by the shear fact that they’ve withstood the test of time, and would worry a lot less about a Dutch Ginkgo (Elm) disease or Sudden Ginkgo (Oak) death happening to them.
I’m just pointing out that when you use plants that grow locally (including originally alien species such as gingko that have been growing locally for decades or centuries), you substantially reduce the chances of spreading exotic destructive nasties.