A tree grows in Brooklyn. Good title.
Street planting in the city would be a natural place for a rapidly-growing tree like elm. Tolerance for less-than the best in air quality recommends the genus as well. Small of leaf, which makes the Siberian a good prospect. The nodes below the leaves are likely next year's buds forming before dropping this year's.
Bad news is the smell, good news is it's almost bulletproof to dry with interlocking grain. Handsome stuff when it's done, not that the spouse will forgive you entirely for the odor you bring in when she sees it finished. I want to get rid of the last stem of a willow, another stinker, out by the new shed, but she still remembers last branch's turning, which was almost three years ago. At least I think that's what she remembers. Main trunk on this one went down twelve - fifteen years ago. Can't hold a grudge that long, can she?
NB Do not microwave elm or willow, unless the oven's yours and outdoors.