Bud and young leaves from mystery tree

[Hollyrays]

This fell at my feet, I’m assuming from a tree or from a bird that was carrying it. Northern Vermont, United States, early May. It looks like the tip of a branch. What plant is this from?

 

[Mrsclem]

Definitely one of the oak species, can't be sure which.

 

[Marck]

Greetings, welcome to the Forums

I think this flowering branch is from one of the oaks in the Red Oak Group (Quercus, Section Lobatae).

There are four such oaks (Quercus) native to Vermont: Scarlet Oak (Q. coccinea), Pin Oak (Q. palustris), Northern Red Oak (Q. rubra), and Eastern Black Oak (Q. velutina).