Magnolia liliiflora or one of the many garden hybrids of similar general appearance developed using it as a parent (examples of some that have been on the general market can be seen at link below). In either case planting site is much too small.

The U.S. National Arboretum presents eight hybrid magnolia cultivars affectionately known as the "girls.''

Magnolias.pdf (usda.gov)

welcome john .. always provide the plants location ... i might guess jersey.. but you never know where your friends might be ...

and its hard to see with the white siding behind ...

i was going to suggest saucer magnolia.. but i cant focus on the buds to see if that fits .. so i cant argue with embos suggestion either ...

regardless is a magnolia ...

ken

ps: your friend could be bit more creative with the pruning ...... but thats a different show ....

Thanks all. Yep, She's a new gardener..