Poplar trees and their seeds

Never noticed these fluffy seeds at the base of these Poplar trees before yet we've walked this way dozens of times over the years. Interestingly, not every tree had a drift of seeds at their base, many were clear. What's that all about?

Otherwise, the day was a regular Monda. Swim in the morning and a walk before dinner. In between times I gave a second coat to the windows inside Susan's studio. Ready now for painting the cladding.

Good news with the floor insulation. The company agreed to put in a false floor with insulation beneath. We did have a minor panic this evening when we thought that the false floor would mean the worktop would clash with where the power sockets have been installed. Close measurement shows it will be OK!

Edit: May well be Black Cottonwood, from the Poplar family. Poplars propagate sucker, it's the Cottonwoods that have these fluffy seeds)