Magnolia grandiflora perhaps.

https://sheffields.com/catalog_data/Magnolia_grandiflora_5298.jpg

thats awesome and is it a surprise so far north then? it was shielded by thick bamboo so maybe that helped in winter?

The Northeast has climates that range from 4A (in northern/mountainous), New England to 7B (around NYC, Long Island, coastal NJ, Delaware and Maryland. Magnolia grandiflora is often a very good indicator species. Typically, they mark a climate of Zone 7 or higher, however, cultivars of the species are at least hardy to Zone 6B, maybe 6A. The Northeast has experienced some of the fastest rising temperatures in the US and the species has been advancing north, and it's not only because of zone pushers (people planting them beyond their "native" range). This was the first year I found self-sowing ones popping up in my yard from those seed cones. As long as the climate is 6B/7A ish, it does not need the bamboo to survive.

thanks i am on long island and have definitely seen this

These below were planted 15 years ago from two gallon pots. There is a three story house on the other side that it now blocks.

If you are interested, I can recommend cultivars of M.g. that you should be able to purchase on LI, you got a lot of decent nurseries out there.

Makes sense thank you

Brother had a big one behind back porch in western MD z6 -- guess 50 ft tall and 50 yrs old at the time, and prb'ly just the straight species. It was mostly defoliated in Jan 1994 cold wave (near -20F), but recovered fine. He cut it down couple yrs ago because it was too "messy".....

Matt, the most commonly encountered Southern Magnolia cultivars sold in our area include; Edith Bogue, Victoria, and Bracken's Brown. I have Bogues and Victorias and they are good with heavy, WET snow loads and wind. I also have Majestic Beauty, they are not as readily sold in the area but they have had no issues with snow for me. Sometimes you see Little Gems, I have a few of those, but they are not known for superior cold hardiness. The only ones I really have had issues with, are the strong vertical growers (such as Alta), as our sticky, heavy weight snows get caught between the branches and trunk, and the branches just snap. In our area, heavy snow load is much more of a factor than cold tolerance.

P.S.,, Mine are only messy in June, when many of the older leaves drops off, which I don't mind as most of my yard work from October into December, is from removing barrels of deciduous leaves from my neighbors.