We are in Southwest Virginia and I saw two of these trees planted near a business. There are also some in a field nearby. They still had their leaves and they were still green and had a silvery tinge when they blew in the wind perhaps on the underside. I got out and looked at one and the leaf reminded me of the waxy green magnolia leaf but in the shape of a willow perhaps?

Beautifull trees.......

Might be Autumn Olive

https://extension.psu.edu/autu...

I think you are looking at a Sweetbay Magnolia - Magnolia virginiana.

Those are fine plants for southwest Virginia and northeast Tennessee - and a lot of other places in eastern North America. While they are native to wetter or swampier sites, they are perfectly well adapted to normal residential landscapes.

This plant blooms in June here with a lemony fragrant creamy white flower about 4 inches across, and quite prolifically. This a great plant to have near an outdoor seating area, especially if you can steer your downspouts toward it, where you can enjoy its appearance AND fragrance during summer months.

There are forms that are totally deciduous, and there are selected named varieties that hold their green leaves through the winter.