The purpose of the present study was to acquire baseline information that is important for evaluating the potential of poplar wood for sugar and ethanol production. The four wood samples studied were from four different genotypes with contrasting yield potential, growth phenologies, and recalcitrance levels [11,13]. The genotypes were: native aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.), NE222 and DN5 (Populus deltoides Bartr. ex Marsh