Poplars are not the best wood. It does stain up to look like maple. (Dark stain!) Good for things like drawer bottoms.
We are starting to have problems with the Emerald Ash Borer here. In this subdivision they planted Silver Maple, Siberian Elm, Ash, and Gum trees. They wanted trees that would grow quickly and help sell houses. Un fortunately they are also trees that have to be removed after 25 years.
Good luck with your wood lot!
Waxfree shellac, followed by a single coat of Minwax pecan polyshade, followed by a coat of oil based polyurethane. 600 sandpaper leaves a glassy surface.