Magnolia????

I came across this tree a while ago growing in a private garden.
Managed to get over there and take some pictures, I was drawn to it because it looks, I think, unusual. I've seen a fair few Magnolia grandiflora growing around here but this looks different.
It almost has the appearance of a tropical fig tree, but I know its not.
Any ideas, could it be a variety of M. grandiflora.

 

Hi @pete it definitely looks a bit like grandiflora, though I thought they tended to have rusty backs to leaves. But if it was seed grown, it could vary quite a bit. And of course, it could well be a slow one to flower, so no extra help there... Why not be cheeky and ask the owner about it?

 

Well, I've noticed some variation in Grandiflora images when googling, but I dont really trust that as any old tom dick or harry puts the pictures up.
Most of the grandiflora I've seen have narrower bright green leaves, as you can see these are broad, bigger and dark green.
I'm assuming it flowers in the summer months, its definitely well up to flowering size, but I've not seen that, usually go by this place in the dark anyway.

Yes no rusty backs on the leaves which kind of makes me think.

Its one of those places where you might get a butler come to the door, only saw builders and you know what they are like, don't know a tree from a telegraph pole.

 

Usually Magnolia grandiflora has a flower or two on it out of season../ or remnants of flowers
Not seeing any brown underneath leaves.
Think we need to see flowers.
Maybe this will help.

Magnolia grandiflora - Trees and Shrubs Online

 

The leaf reminds me of Ficus Benjamina.

 

The buds on mystery tree look very Magnolia ish.

Ficus benjamina leaves have a long point on them...so that can be ruled out.

 

Ficus benjamina wouldn't survive outside around here.

But as I said its foliage does have the looks of a tropical fig, at first sight driving by I thought it was a rubber plant, Ficus elastica, but knew it couldn't be.

 

A fair few varieties there, I'll look into "goliath" sounds like a candidate.

 

Do please look for flowers ..they should be amaxing!

Quote link in post above.from Bean.

'Goliath'

Leaves oval, rounded and often abruptly acuminate at the apex, up to 8 in. long, glabrous beneath except for a trace of rust along the midrib. Flowers nearly a foot across when fully expanded. This is now considered to be the finest variety. Award of Merit 1931, First Class Certificate 1951. The origin of this magnolia is uncertain. According to Millais it was first sent out by the Caledonia nursery, Guernsey.

 

I I didn't notice any signs of flowers but will keep an eye on it in the coming months.
Hope it survives these gale force winds.

 

I’m no expert on Magnolias, but it’s so well established, you’d think it’s not one of the evergreen variants that are becoming increasingly available now. Some kind of grandiflora, until the flowers come out to narrow down further.