White poplar is dioecious (i.e. male and female flowers are on separate trees), the male being planted most. It is closely related to the native aspen (P. tremula). It is also native or at least long established the length of the Atlantic coastline and far into Asia, as well as on a strip of the North African coast.
As it ages, the white poplar produces some root suckers but a lawn-mower solves the problem. Grafting onto aspen rootstock slows the growth of white poplar. Some of the biggest softwoods in Finland are old white poplars growing in rich moist soil. Unfortunately, the species is seldom planted nowadays.