Ken,

What is the genus and species of poplar you are referring to?

In the states we have quite a few species of poplar (populus spp.) and then we have yellow-poplar (liriodendron tulipifera) which is commonly called "poplar" and occurs over most of the Eastern US and which is not a true poplar like aspen or cottonwood. I'm afraid there may be some confusion without specific epithets.