Poplars are one of the most commonly planted species of tree in China. They are an important raw material and are used for veneer wood, plywood and building timber. As a fast-growing tree, they also have an important role to play in the reafforestation of deserts. Decades of intensive logging have accelerated desertification, especially in the north of China. The aim is to reforest an area of approximately 17 million hectares by the year 2012.