A Deciduous Magnola?

Fuzzy Buds on a multi-stemmed large shrub or small tree.

Not the best photograph that I ever took; however, my phone just did not want to focus on something that was already fuzzy looking.  These fuzzy buds are about the size of the first joint of my thumb.  I am hoping that they are one of the signs of spring mentioned at igarden.com.au - a deciduous magnolia.  Some photos of deciduous magnolias in bloom can be found at http://conradartglassgardens.blogspot.com/p/an-example-of-using-magnolias-in.html.  The timing appears to be right - fattening buds in mid-January, ready to burst forth ahead of leaves in February.  The size of the buds are right.  The look of the bark.  I can't pin-point a cultivar, but it seems to be saying "Deciduous Magnolia" to me.  ... If it is a deciduous magnolia, then even though its location is most inopportune for us humans, I think that  it will have to take precedence, and stand her ground.  ... I cannot wait for the delightful surprises that this Spring holds for us.