Tree ID Help Needed

[ChidJ]

Found this tree today and can’t figure out what it is. Closest thing I’ve found is Paw Paw but this seems too big and doesn’t have any fruit or flowers visible. Branches are smoother bark with trunk being rougher. Leaves have a sort of sweet smell but only if you get close. I don’t see any others like it in this stand. What is it?

 

[menhadenman]

Cucumber tree/magnolia?

 

[NCHillbilly]

Cucumber tree/magnolia?

That was my first thought, also. They're common around here. Magnolia acuminata.

 

[ChidJ]

Well that was fast. I think y’all nailed it. I had sort of dismissed the possibility of it being magnolia as I had mistakenly thought all magnolias had waxy leaves. Learned a new one today

 

[NCHillbilly]

Well that was fast. I think y’all nailed it. I had sort of dismissed the possibility of it being magnolia as I had mistakenly thought all magnolias had waxy leaves. Learned a new one today

The only Magnolia native here with waxy leaves is the evergreen Magnolia grandiflora. We have a plethora of deciduous Magnolia species.