Looks like Magnolia macrophylla, a SE US native.

Could be Bigleaf Magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla)...though Kentucky is in the heart of the Umbrella Magnolia (Magnolia tripetala) range and on the edge of Bigleaf Magnolia range.

This post was edited by smivies on Wed, Jun 4, 14 at 21:03

Either Umbrella or Bigleaf mag. I've got Umbrella mag and the leaves shown here look even bigger than mine. So I'd guess Bigleaf magnolia.

jimnkaran,
The base of the leaf is lobed right? You have Big Leaf Magnolia. Also, the underside of the leaf is whitish and the 3 inner petals are stained purple at the base.
When Big Leaf Magnolia is grown in shade the foliage and flowers are all at the top. When grown in the open the tree is fully clothed with foliage and flowers, sometimes hundreds of flowers. BLM has the distinction of having the largest flower of any tree native to N.America. BLM has the distinction of having the largest, undivided leaf of any tree native to N. America.
{{gwi:374698}}

My thoughts as well. I have both macrophylla and tripetala. My big leaf is blooming now and has been for a week or two. The flowers look almost identical to mine. My tripetala, although nearly as old has never bloomed yet, thanks to deer and a huge black locust crashing down on it when it was an infant. It survived both, but I can't vouche personally on differences in the flower form. However, that being said the pics I've seen on the tripetala look as if the flower petals are more strap-like and slender than on the macrophylla.

I'd say Magnolia macrophylla as well. Almost certain of it.

Looks like M.macrophylla to me, too.

Cucumbertree, M.acuminata, is pretty common in your area, as well, jimnkaran, but this is not it.
Planted a cuke here nearly 20 years ago, and it's probably in excess of 20 ft tall - still waiting for it to bloom...

sam.. i wish you would use a scale.. more familiar to me.. like a one.. or a five ...

ken

Anyone here ever hear of André Michaux? He was the Royal Botanist to Louis XVI. He was the first European to describe this tree. It must have been unbelieveable since there are no magnolias native to Europe.
I took this pic a few minutes ago, 7:30 on a June evening in Maryland, the lemony-sweet smell coming from the flowers is intoxicating.
{{gwi:374701}}

My magnolia macrophylla in bloom. Snapped the picture at dusk.