birch

A slender, deciduous tree with smooth, often white, bark.

"Silver birch trees line the avenue."

The pale, fine-grained wood from a birch tree, used for furniture.

"The cabinet was crafted from birch."

A bundle of birch twigs used historically for corporal punishment.

"The headmaster threatened the boys with the birch."

To beat someone with a birch rod as a form of punishment.

"Naughty pupils were sometimes birched."