Thank you very much to everyone for this information. I had no idea what this tree was, much less that it is toxic/fatal if ingested.

The leaves are reported to be a foot wide. If they are indeed velvety, I'm going to throw Paulownia into the list of possibilities. It is likely to lose the toothed edges as the tree grows. If Paulownia tomentosa, it is listed as an invasive, noxious weed in much of the south and midwest. Your boyfriend's instincts are right.

I agree with saltcedar. Definitely a Gasteraloe. We had some entered in the fair plant booth. Cool looking plant! I would suggest you google the care of it and not water it very often.

Hi bomg, I asked your question and this is the answer I got: The short answer to your question is if your plant has those little nasty black spines/leaves at its base you have got Pitcairnia paniculata. The full technical answer is: Pitcairnia poortmanii is densely serrulate and narrower laxly above, glabrous. Translated = finely serrate or saw edged with smooth glossy leaf. Pitcairnia paniculata is densely fasciculate, dimorphic or trimorphic, the outer leaves reduced, scale-like or some with setiform spinose blades, the inner elongate, contracted above the sheath but not always petiolate, attenuate, remotely spinulose-serrate or entire to apex, glabrous above, sparsely furfuraceous beneath. Translated = compact cluster, 2 - 3 different types of leaves, bristle like, glossy above, scurfy under. In other words if your plant has those little nasty black spines/leaves at its base you have got Pitcairnia paniculata. Dimorphic means two different types of leaves. All the best, Nev.