I have two magnolias, one about 40 feet tall, the other much smaller because it was either planted or came up wild under a huge oak tree. The small one has flowers and leaves and seed pods like the ones in your picture. They are slightly smaller versions of the flowers and "fruit" the large tree bears. The squirrels and the birds love the seed pods, but the pods are sharp as razors after the seeds fall out. My bet it is a magnolia of some kind. froggyintexas