With straight trunks and branches, white poplars aim high.

它的干，通常是丈把高，像加过人工似的，一丈以内绝无旁枝。

They are white poplars. Though very common in Northwest China, they are no ordinary trees!

那是力争上游的一种树，笔直的干，笔直的枝。

When you trudge through the melting snow of the highland and see one or a row of white poplars standing proudly on the vast plains, how could you look upon them as nothing but mere trees?

难道你就不想到它的朴质，严肃，坚强不屈，至少也象征了北方的农民？