birch

Everyday

1. A tall thin tree with smooth white or silver bark that peels in thin layers. tree →
2. The wood of this tree: birch furniture. tree →
3. (old use) A bundle of birch twigs once used to beat people as punishment. tree →

In the lessons

In science and nature lessons the silver birch is easy to spot by its white bark; it grows in cool places such as Britain, Ireland, Canada and the northern USA. In history it reminds pupils of harsh punishments. Phrases: silver birch, birch bark, birch wood, birch canoe.

Examples

• The silver birch has white peeling bark. tree →
• Native Americans made canoes from birch bark. tree →
• We collected birch leaves for our nature table. tree →
• The woods were full of tall birches. tree →
• Birch wood is used for furniture and plywood. tree →
• In old schools children were punished with the birch. tree →
• Whenever the wind blew the Birch-tree creaked. tree →

Note

Plural birches (add -es after ch). Do not confuse with "beech", another tree with smooth grey bark.