Birch Sapling?

I'm thinking this is a birch but I'm not sure. I have a ton of them coming up.
Thanks,
William

Not Birch. Looks more like Cottonwood.

I see you are in Europe. Probably Black Poplar or a related species then.

That's disappointing. I was hoping for birch.
Any good reason to keep cottonwoods thriving? I don't have any big livestock that could eat it. And I don't think I'll be going into the bark business any time soon.
I suppose I'll keep them for biomass, as we always need that.

At least birch has some sap to drink...darn.
William

Black Poplar is the European Cottonwood. I know that Cottonwoods here are very fast growing with very soft wood that breaks easily in wind. They can also put out a large number of seed puffs. Being part of the Willow family, Poplars do have medicinal qualities though like Salicin (an aspirin-like substance in willows). Anyway, this article from Switzerland says that Black Poplar is endangered in Europe. Interesting read.
http://www.waldwissen.net/wald/baeume_waldpflanzen/laub/wsl_schwarzpappel/index_EN