You may be disappointed when I tell you this, but it looks like a hickory tree. They have large bud scales that look like flower petals when the new shoot emerges in the spring.

Thank you lycopus. I'm not disappointed really, was hoping it was something else, but it's "ok". The "flower" is so lovely, hard to believe it's the "start" of a tree, but then I have two maples and there are always little trees starting from the wing seeds all the time. They never get as big as this plant was but then we cut the grass around the tree all the time, so they don't have a chance. Thanks again for your quick response. I'm a birder and often find beautiful wildflowers while birding. (I also am learning more about wildflowers, butterflies, and dragonflies with friends.)