aka tulip poplar, yellow poplar, white poplar, whitewood; Liriodendron tulipifera; Magnoliaceae

Tuliptree blooms in late May; once the flower drops, these nifty seedheads remain, but are hidden from view until the leaves drop.

in flower, late May

ps – don’t confuse this with true poplars (genus Populus), which are in the willow family (Salicaceae)