A poplar is a fast-growing tree with smooth bark and leaves that flutter and shimmer in the slightest breeze. The leaves are attached to their branches by long, flat stems that twist easily, so even a gentle wind makes the whole tree seem to dance and whisper. In autumn, poplar leaves turn a brilliant golden yellow.

Poplars grow quickly, sometimes adding several feet of height in a single year, which makes them useful for lumber, paper production, and creating fast shade or windbreaks on farms. The wood is relatively soft and light, so it's often used for making plywood, crates, and matches. Because poplars grow so fast, they can be harvested and replanted more quickly than slower-growing trees like oak or maple.

Many poplars grow near rivers and streams, where their roots help hold the soil in place and prevent erosion. The most common species in North America include the cottonwood (which releases fluffy white seeds that drift through the air like snow in late spring) and the quaking aspen, named for how its leaves seem to quake or tremble in the wind. If you've ever walked through a forest and heard a gentle rustling sound on a calm day, you might have been standing near poplars.