Haava (Haab)

Two species: harilik haab, common or trembling aspen, Populus tremula – the trembling is due to the flat petioles allowing the slightest breeze to move the leaves and improve exposure to the sun (and perhaps shake off hungry insects?) – and hõbepappel or hõbehaab, white poplar, Populus alba. Same muddle in both languages as to name, and both seem accepted, haab or pappel, and poplar or aspen. Haava is also the genitive of haav, meaning wound, but we’re a bit too far from the hospital (±3 km) for that.