The noun 杨 (yáng) can mean "poplar tree" or serve as one of the most common Chinese surnames. In literary or poetic contexts, 杨 often evokes imagery associated with willows or poplars. It frequently appears in classical poetry and personal names.
路边种了一排杨树,夏天特别凉快。
Lù biān zhòng le yì pái yángshù, xiàtiān tèbié liángkuai.
A row of poplar trees was planted along the roadside; it's especially cool there in summer.
我们班有三个姓杨的同学。
Wǒmen bān yǒu sān ge xìng Yáng de tóngxué.
There are three classmates with the surname Yang in our class.
春天的时候杨树会飘很多白色的杨絮。
Chūntiān de shíhou yángshù huì piāo hěn duō báisè de yángxù.
In spring, poplar trees shed a lot of white catkin fluff.