Quote Originally Posted by kittycats_delight
Absolutely not a magnoglia tree. I also have one of them and a magnoglia tree is completely different. For one Magnolia's a white and the tree is huge. The branches and leaves go almost right to the ground and the back side of the leaf is a brown color. The leaves are also very heavy and rubberish looking.

here is a link for some pics of a magnolia tree. This is the same kind we have.
http://semo777.serversanddomains.com...a/magnolia.htm
There are different varieties. Many buds are pink before they open:

Here is a bud:


Here are some more pictures of a tree in bloom. Often times, the blooms start before the leaves:



I think they are called "saucer" magnolias.